Aldous Huxley
Aldous Leonard Huxley (26 July 1894 – 22 November 1963) was an English writer. Best known for his novel Brave New World and a wide-ranging output of essays, Huxley also edited the magazine Oxford Poetry, and published short stories, poetry, travel writing, film stories and scripts. Huxley spent the later part of his life in the United States, living in Los Angeles from 1937 until his death.
I’ve only read Brave New World (1931) and The Devils of Loudun (1952). Brave New World (1931, published in 1932), is set in London, AD 2540 (632 A.F. in the book), the novel anticipates developments in reproductive technology and sleep-learning that combine to change society. The future society is an embodiment of the ideals that form the basis of futurology. Huxley answered this book with a reassessment in an essay, Brave New World Revisited (1958) and with his final work, a novel titled Island (1962).
The Devils of Loudun is a historical narrative of supposed demonic possession, religious fanaticism, sexual repression, and mass hysteria which occurred in 17th century France surrounding unexplained events that took place in the small town of Loudin; particularly on Roman Catholic priest Urbain Grandier and an entire convent of Ursuline Nuns, who allegedly became possessed by demons after Grandier made a pact with Satan. The events led to several public exorcisms and executions by burning. I must admit that I read this book after seeing the Ken Russell adaptation The Devils at a college cinema.
Aldous Huxley was a humanist, pacifist, and satirist, and he was latterly interested in spiritual subjects such as parapsychology and philosophical mysticism. He is also well known for advocating and taking psychedelics. By the end of his life Huxley was widely recognized to be one of the pre-eminent intellectuals of his time and respected as an important researcher into visual communication and sight-related theories as well.
For much more in depth reading about Huxley, and especially Brave New World, check out these website: huxley.net and these videos on youtube.
socialpsychol 