Roger Senhouse (23 March 1900 – 1970) was a British publisher, translator, and editor, primarily known for his association with the Bloomsbury Group and his long-term personal and literary relationship with the writer Lytton Strachey.
Early Life and Education
Born in London, Senhouse was the son of a barrister. He attended Eton College, where he developed an early interest in literature and a reputation for intellectual acuity. After Eton, he matriculated at King's College, Cambridge, though he did not complete his degree. It was during this period that he began to cultivate connections within the burgeoning intellectual and artistic circles that would later become known as the Bloomsbury Group.
Career and Literary Contributions
Senhouse's career was multifaceted, encompassing publishing, editing, and translation:
- Hogarth Press: He worked for a period with the Hogarth Press, the publishing house founded by Virginia and Leonard Woolf. His involvement provided him with practical experience in the literary world and deepened his connections with prominent figures of the time.
- Translator: Senhouse was a skilled translator, particularly from French. His notable translations include several works by the French author Colette, such as Claudine at School and Chéri. These translations helped introduce Colette's work to a wider English-speaking audience.
- Editor and Literary Executor: After the death of Lytton Strachey in 1932, Senhouse became his literary executor. He dedicated a significant portion of his life to editing and publishing Strachey's uncollected essays, letters, and private papers, ensuring the preservation and dissemination of Strachey's complete oeuvre. His efforts were crucial in shaping the posthumous perception and study of Strachey's work.
Personal Life
Roger Senhouse is perhaps most intimately remembered for his relationship with Lytton Strachey. They met in the 1920s and developed a deep and lasting partnership that continued until Strachey's death. Senhouse moved into Strachey's country home, Ham Spray House, in the late 1920s, sharing the household with Strachey and his long-time companion Dora Carrington. This relationship was a significant aspect of both men's lives and is well-documented in the biographies and letters of the Bloomsbury Group members. After Strachey's death, Senhouse remained at Ham Spray House, maintaining it as a tribute to Strachey's memory.
Legacy
Senhouse's legacy is primarily linked to his role as a preserver and promoter of Lytton Strachey's literary output and his contributions as a translator. While not a prolific writer himself, his editorial work ensured that Strachey's full range of thought and expression was made available to future generations. His translations also made significant contributions to literary exchange between France and Britain. Through his personal relationships and professional endeavors, Senhouse remained a peripheral yet important figure in the intellectual landscape of early 20th-century Britain.