Stone, Irving

(US, 1903–89)

Stone was born in San Francisco, and educated at the University of California, Berkeley. He worked as a teacher and hack writer before the sensational success of Lust for Life (1934) launched his career as a prolific biographical novelist. Begin with this treatment of the life of Vincent Van Gogh, which, like all his best work, is compellingly readable. Love is Eternal (1954) tells the story of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of the assassinated American president. The life and achievement of Sigmund Freud provide the basis for The Passions of the Mind (1971). His other works include The Agony and the Ecstasy (1961) on the life of Michelangelo, and Depths of Glory (1985), his treatment of the painter Camille Pissarro.

Nigel Tranter, Mary Renault, Allan Massie  DH