Arthur Koestler

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Arthur Koestler (1969)

Arthur Koestler (5 September 1905 – 1 March 1983) was a Hungarian-born author and journalist. Koestler became known for his works on politics, philosophy, and science. He was a member of the Communist Party of Germany but later became a vocal critic of Stalinism and the Soviet Union.

Early Life

Arthur Koestler was born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary. He was the only child of Henrik Koestler, an industrialist, and Adele Jeiteles, a homemaker. Koestler attended the University of Vienna but left before completing his degree to pursue a career in journalism.

Career

Koestler's early career included work as a foreign correspondent for various European newspapers. He traveled extensively, covering events such as the Spanish Civil War and the rise of Nazism in Germany. His experiences during this period deeply influenced his political views and literary works.

Literary Works

Koestler is best known for his novel Darkness at Noon, which is a powerful critique of totalitarianism. The book is set during the Great Purge in the Soviet Union and explores the moral dilemmas faced by individuals under oppressive regimes. Other notable works include The Ghost in the Machine, The Sleepwalkers: A History of Man's Changing Vision of the Universe, and The Act of Creation.

Political Involvement

Koestler joined the Communist Party of Germany in 1931 but became disillusioned with Stalinism after witnessing the Moscow Trials and the Great Purge. He left the party in 1938 and became an outspoken critic of the Soviet Union. His book The God That Failed is a collection of essays by former communists who became disillusioned with the ideology.

Personal Life

Koestler married three times and had numerous relationships. His personal life was marked by periods of depression and health issues. In 1983, Koestler and his third wife, Cynthia, committed suicide together in their home in London.

Legacy

Arthur Koestler's works have had a lasting impact on literature, political thought, and science. His critiques of totalitarianism and his explorations of human creativity and scientific discovery continue to be studied and discussed.

Selected Bibliography

• Darkness at Noon (1940)
• The Ghost in the Machine (1967)
• The Sleepwalkers: A History of Man's Changing Vision of the Universe (1959)
• The Act of Creation (1964)
• The God That Failed (1949)

See Also

• Totalitarianism
• Communist Party of Germany
• Stalinism
• Great Purge
• Moscow Trials