Grimthorpe, Lord

Friend of FH, literary executor to Lord Randolph Churchill, introduced FH to Winston Churchill. A prodigally talented individual who amongst other things designed the Westminster Clock, also incorrectly known as 'Big Ben'. Advised FH against doing a life of Oscar Wilde, but it was at his villa 'Cimbroni' at Ravello, Italy, with its view of Vesuvius, that FH did write it over the course of three months in the winter of 1909-10.