Mervyn Peake

Mervyn Peake (1911-1968) was a playwright, painter, poet, illustrator, short story writer, and designer of theatrical costumes, as well as a novelist. Among his many books are the celebrated Gormenghast novels: Titus Groan, Gormenghast, Titus Alone and the posthumously published Titus Awakes, the lost book of Gormenghast finished by Peake’s wife Maeve Gilmore after his death. Peake’s other writings include his award-winning poem “The Glassblowers” (1950) and his play The Wit to Woo (1957).