Author Description
Geoffrey Keynes had, as he put it himself, 'a quite outrageously enjoyable existence'. This is his remarkable account of a long and distinguished life, written only two years before his death in 1982 at the age of ninety-five.He was the younger brother of the economist Maynard Keynes and was at Rugby and Cambridge with Rupert Brooke. He saved Virginia Woolf from her first suicide attempt, before any of her novels had been written. He became a celebrated surgeon, who pioneered the use of blood transfusion and the rational treatment of breast cancer, and was knighted for this work in 1955.Throughout his life he was a dedicated bibliophile. His library was legendary, and his passionate interest in the work of William Blake brought about the rediscovery of his long-neglected genius.-- From the 1983 paperback edition.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This autobiography investigates the multifaceted life of a man who navigated the intersections of early 20th-century medicine, literature, and intellectual society. Geoffrey Keynes, a distinguished surgeon and bibliophile, provides a retrospective account of his ninety-five years, documenting his contributions to surgical practice and his preservation of literary history. The narrative framework relies on personal recollection and historical context to illustrate his influence on both the medical field and the appreciation of William Blake's work.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Accounts of early 20th-century academic life at Rugby and Cambridge
- Insights into the development of blood transfusion techniques and breast cancer treatment
- Personal anecdotes involving prominent literary figures such as Virginia Woolf and Rupert Brooke
- Documentation of the rediscovery and cataloging of William Blake's artistic legacy
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide an exhaustive medical textbook on surgical procedures
- The narrative focuses primarily on the author's personal experiences rather than a comprehensive history of the Keynes family
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Critics and historians value this work as a primary source for understanding the intellectual climate of the Bloomsbury Group and the evolution of modern surgery. Readers frequently note the accessible, reflective tone of the prose, which balances professional achievement with intimate personal history.
Page Count:
440
Publication Date:
1983-05-19
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192851306
ISBN-13:
9780192851307
Autobiography
Memoir
Biography
Literary History
MEDICAL History
20th Century