Quentin Crisp (born Denis Charles Pratt, (1908-12-25)25 December 1908 – 21 November 1999(1999-11-21)), was an English writer and raconteur.
From a conventional suburban background, Crisp grew up with effeminate tendencies, which he flaunted by parading the streets in make-up and painted nails, and working as a rent-boy. He then spent thirty years as a professional model for life-classes in art colleges, which he said was like being a naked civil servant. His agent suggested that this should be the title of his memoirs, which appeared in 1968. The interviews he gave about his unusual life attracted increasing public curiosity, and he was soon sought-after for his highly individual views on social manners and the cultivating of style. His one-man show was a long-running hit, both in England and America, and he also appeared in films and on TV.
As a high-profile gay person, Crisp defied convention by criticising both Gay Liberation and Princess Diana.
Read more about Quentin Crisp: Influence and Legacy, Works, Filmography, Discography
Famous quotes by quentin crisp:
“A gentleman doesn’t pounce ... he glides. If a woman sits on a piece of furniture which permits your sitting beside her, you are free to regard this as an invitation, though not an unequivocal one.”
—Quentin Crisp (b. 1908)
“Decency ... must be an even more exhausting state to maintain than its opposite. Those who succeed seem to need a stupefying amount of sleep.”
—Quentin Crisp (b. 1908)
“An autobiography is an obituary in serial form with the last instalment missing.”
—Quentin Crisp (b. 1908)
“For an introvert his environment is himself and can never be subject to startling or unforeseen change.”
—Quentin Crisp (b. 1908)
“Life is a game in which the rules are constantly changing; nothing spoils a game more than those who take it seriously. Adultery? Phooey! You should never subjugate yourself to another nor seek the subjugation of someone else to yourself. If you follow that Crispian principle you will be able to say ‘Phooey,’ too, instead of reaching for your gun when you fancy yourself betrayed.”
—Quentin Crisp (b. 1908)