Iris Murdoch
- Born:
- 25 July 1919, Dublin, Ireland
- Died:
- 8 February 1999, Oxford, England
- Nationality:
- Irish, British
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Philosopher
Early Life and Education
- Born Iris Jean Murdoch in Dublin, Ireland.
- Moved to London with her parents in 1919.
- Educated at Badminton School in Bristol.
- Studied Classics, Ancient History and Philosophy at Somerville College, Oxford, graduating in 1942.
- Worked for HM Treasury after graduating.
- Attended Newnham College, Cambridge, from 1947 to 1948 to study philosophy.
Career and Major Achievements
- Lecturer in philosophy at St Anne's College, Oxford, from 1948 to 1963.
- Published her first novel, Under the Net, in 1954.
- Wrote 26 novels throughout her career, exploring themes of morality, sexuality, and the unconscious.
- Won the Booker Prize for The Sea, The Sea in 1978.
- Her philosophical works include Sartre: Romantic Rationalist (1953) and The Sovereignty of Good (1970).
Notable Works
Novels
- Under the Net (1954)
- The Bell (1958)
- A Severed Head (1961)
- The Unicorn (1963)
- The Italian Girl (1964)
- The Red and the Green (1965)
- The Nice and the Good (1968)
- Bruno's Dream (1969)
- The Sea, The Sea (1978)
- The Philosopher's Pupil (1983)
Philosophical Works
- Sartre: Romantic Rationalist (1953)
- The Sovereignty of Good (1970)
- Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals (1992)
Legacy and Impact
The biography of iris murdoch reveals a significant figure in 20th-century literature and philosophy. Her novels are celebrated for their complex characters, intricate plots, and exploration of moral dilemmas. Her philosophical work contributed to ethical theory, particularly through her emphasis on the importance of moral vision and the reality of goodness.
Awards and Honors
| Year | Award | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Booker Prize | The Sea, The Sea |
| 1987 | Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres | N/A |
| 1990 | Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) | N/A |