image: Quentin Crisp sitting at a table with his right hand touching his chin.

For those who admired him for his Intellect, Humanity and Courage.
Dedicated to the memory of
Quentin Crisp

On prejudice :
"It is not the simple statement of facts that ushers in freedom; it is the constant repetition of them that has this liberating effect. Tolerance is the result not of enlightenment, but of boredom"

- Quentin Crisp

Quentin And Philip: A Double Portrait

Andrew Barrow first met Quentin Crisp in 1971 and their friendship lasted until Crisp's death. Through Crisp, he also met the wild, much-married 'genius' Philip O'Connor.

The two men first met early in the Second World War. They then both inhabited the same select corner of Lower Bohemia.

Quentin's politeness was at contrast to O'Connor ill-manners. But both Quentin enjoyed huge success with their volumes of autobiography.

O'Connor's "Memoirs of a Public Baby" which was published in 1958, took the world by storm.

Quentin's "The Naked Civil Servant" brought him to public attention after it's televising in 1975.

Barrow's is a highly personal account of these two extradinary men.

Andrew Barrow gave a talk about his book and his friendship with both men on Friday 13 June 2003 at the Conway Hall in London.