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We often admire writers for their captivating storytelling and their brilliant manipulation of language. Many authors are celebrated for tackling profound subjects or political matters, but sometimes their own actions don't quite align with the principles they advocate in their works. Here are 10 renowned authors who displayed hypocrisy in their personal beliefs or practices.
10. Christopher Hitchens Was Opposed to Abortion
Christopher Hitchens, known for his staunch atheism and his influential critique of religion, penned notable works such as Hitch 22, Morality, Why Orwell Matters, and The Portable Atheist. Given his outspoken criticism of religion, it would be logical to assume that he would also advocate for a pro-choice stance. However, he surprised many by opposing abortion for several personal and philosophical reasons.
In a 1988 interview with Crisis magazine, Hitchens discussed various issues, including abortion. He expressed his discomfort with the idea of fetal disposability, stating, 'I had a queasy feeling about the disposability of the fetus. This queasy feeling has not gone away. Once you allow that the occupant of the womb is even potentially a life, it cuts athwart any glib invocation of ‘the woman’s right to choose.’'
Hitchens appeared to have strong reservations about whether women should have the right to an abortion, which contradicts the typical atheist viewpoint that pro-life beliefs are primarily held by religious individuals. Given that Hitchens spent much of his career criticizing religion, this stance is undeniably surprising.
9. J.R.R. Tolkien Backed a Brutal Dictator
J.R.R. Tolkien, the genius behind the legendary fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings, is a figure beloved worldwide. His books have influenced entire subcultures, spawned video game industries, and reshaped roleplaying games. The film adaptations by Peter Jackson are also highly regarded. However, it is surprising to learn that Tolkien expressed some degree of support for Francisco Franco, a dictator who led Spain into the harsh Francoist era.
In Letter 83, featured in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Tolkien writes to his son, Christopher Tolkien, about poets, musicians, and Franco. Tolkien expressed admiration for Franco, seeing him as a defender against what he perceived as left-wing propaganda attacking the Catholic Church. The Spanish Civil War was fought between left-wing Republicans, including socialists, communists, and anarchists, and right-wing Nationalists led by Franco.
Although Tolkien’s admiration for Franco doesn’t make him a fascist, it remains odd that a man who championed peace and racial tolerance would show support for a dictator and regime that stood against both. Like many of his contemporaries, Tolkien was a product of his time.
8. George Orwell Condemned Government and Censorship, But Betrayed Fellow Writers
George Orwell, one of the most acclaimed political writers of all time, is renowned for his influential works, 1984 and Animal Farm. Orwell's writing consistently attacked authoritarianism and provided critical insight into the mechanisms of oppression. However, Orwell didn’t always practice the ideals he espoused in his own actions.
In 1949, Orwell compiled what would later be known as 'Orwell’s List,' a record of people he suspected of being secret communists or Stalin sympathizers. This list contained the names of 38 individuals, some of whom were close friends of Orwell. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office made the list public in 1996, which caused disillusionment among some of Orwell's admirers, who were disheartened to see their hero act in ways they considered hypocritical.
7. Ayn Rand Took Social Security Benefits Despite Her Philosophy
Ayn Rand, one of the most controversial philosophers in history, is best known for her philosophy of Objectivism, which advocates for complete individual freedom through laissez-faire capitalism, with no government intervention. She also wrote influential books like Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead to elaborate on her philosophy. Despite her staunch opposition to government programs like Social Security and welfare, Rand found herself reliant on Social Security benefits later in life.
The general view is that Rand felt entitled to the benefits of the system after contributing to it her entire life. But this overlooks the reality that welfare is funded by all taxpayers. Therefore, she was still benefiting from the contributions of others, which contradicts the principles of Objectivism. While Rand had many notable qualities, her blatant hypocrisy in this regard could be considered one of the most ironic aspects of her philosophy.
6. Henry David Thoreau preached simplicity but lived a life full of complexity.
Born on July 12, 1817, Henry David Thoreau is known for his powerful essays and poetry that cover ecology, natural history, and political thought. He is often introduced to students in high school or college. His most notable work, *Walden*, advocates for living simply and connecting with nature, rejecting the complex, industrialized existence that many of his peers adhered to.
Despite his philosophical call for simplicity, Thoreau’s own life didn’t quite align with the ideals he promoted. He often displayed narcissistic tendencies, and many viewed his *Walden* experiment as more of an act of self-promotion, showcasing his romanticized views on nature and individuality, rather than a genuine lifestyle choice. Thoreau also relied heavily on the support of his friends and family, accepting food and financial help. Moreover, he continued to engage with the very society he publicly criticized, enjoying its conveniences. Ultimately, Thoreau was very much a product of his time and societal context.
5. John Locke championed individual liberty, yet paradoxically supported the institution of slavery.
John Locke, one of history's most influential philosophers, is often regarded as the father of Liberalism. As an Enlightenment thinker, Locke explored major societal issues, including education, knowledge, and governance. His notable works include *Two Treatises of Government* (1690), where he discusses natural rights and the principle of government by consent, rejecting the divine right of kings, and *Some Thoughts Concerning Education* (1693), which lays out his views on reforming the education system. Despite being a major figure for liberal and anti-slavery movements, Locke himself was a supporter of slavery.
Locke had financial stakes in pro-slavery entities such as the Lords Proprietors of the Carolinas and the Royal African Company. He also believed that enslaving prisoners of war was morally justified, a stance that applied directly to the Atlantic Slave Trade. Much like Thoreau, Locke’s views were shaped by the norms of his era, where slavery was widely accepted. However, Locke is often seen as a human rights advocate, which creates a stark contrast to his personal beliefs on slavery.
4. Jean-Jacques Rousseau Advocated for Ideal Parenting but Failed His Own Children
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a prominent Genevan philosopher, was one of the most influential figures of the Enlightenment movement. He is best known for his political treatise *The Social Contract*, in which he argues for a universal social contract that promotes harm reduction and peaceful coexistence among all members of society. His other work, *Emile, or On Education* (1762), critically analyzes the education system, highlighting its flaws and proposing improvements to better the lives of children. While deeply concerned with the welfare of children, Rousseau’s own parenting practices were far from ideal.
Rousseau had five children with Therese Levasseur, whom he met in 1745. However, neither Rousseau nor Levasseur raised their children, instead sending them to an orphanage shortly after birth. The children endured neglect and lived difficult lives thereafter. This parental neglect sharply contrasted with Rousseau’s philosophical ideals, leading his rival, Voltaire, to harshly criticize him in a letter sent in 1755.
3. Flannery O’Connor was an Anti-Racist Who Made Racist Remarks
Flannery O’Connor was a towering figure in Southern Gothic literature, a genre known for its grotesque and violent themes, often set in the American South. Her notable works, including *A Good Man Is Hard to Find*, *The Violent Bear It Away*, and *Wise Blood*, sometimes addressed racism, particularly toward Black people. O’Connor was critical of how white Southerners treated people of color. However, she was also very much a product of her time and made some racially insensitive statements.
O’Connor frequently used the n-word in racist jokes in letters to friends. While she outwardly supported integration, she once described herself as 'a segregationist by taste.' She even stated that Black people were better off under Jim Crow laws. Ultimately, O’Connor was a complex individual with extreme views on race, reflecting the prejudices that were common in her era. Many of her beliefs became outdated in the years following the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
2. Virginia Woolf Was a Feminist Who Held Antisemitic Views
Virginia Woolf, whose tragic suicide is almost as well-known as her literary output, is one of the most influential figures in modern literature. She authored timeless classics like *Mrs. Dalloway*, *To the Lighthouse*, *The Waves*, *Orlando*, and *A Room of One’s Own*. Her works explored themes of female independence, feminism, and mental health, including her own lifelong struggles with depression. Woolf’s innovative stream-of-consciousness technique, alongside contemporaries like T.S. Eliot and James Joyce, left an indelible mark on the literary world. She is celebrated in feminist studies, yet her legacy is complicated by her antisemitic beliefs.
Despite her Jewish husband, Leonard Woolf, Virginia Woolf's casual antisemitism remained apparent. She frequently made antisemitic comments to him, including mocking his 'Jewish laugh.' In a letter to Ethel Smyth, she described a Jewish friend as 'seeming to me like a kind of insect—an ugly, dirty Jew.' It's shocking to think that, despite her close personal connection, these prejudices persisted.
1. Enid Blyton, the Beloved Children's Author, Was an Abusive Mother
Enid Blyton, who sold as many books as J.K. Rowling, was one of the most successful children's authors ever, known for iconic series like The Famous Five, Noddy, The Adventure Series, and The Secret Seven, which revolved around young adventurers. However, while her books enjoyed immense popularity, some criticized the outdated racial and gender elements within them. Ironically, Blyton was also a notoriously bad mother.
Blyton had two daughters, Gillian and Imogen, with her husband, Major Hugh Alexander Pollock. Imogen later wrote an autobiography titled A Childhood at Green Hedges, revealing the abuse and neglect she and her sister suffered at the hands of their mother. Enid, often too consumed with her writing, left most of the child-rearing to nannies and was frequently harsh, reprimanding her daughters for the smallest infractions. The saying 'never meet your idols' proved true in their case.
