David Herbert

The Honourable David Alexander Reginald Herbert[1] (3 October 1908 – 3 April 1995[2]) was a British socialite and writer.

Hon. David Reginald Herbert Portrait
For the US artist, see David Herbert (artist).

Early life and education

He was the second son of Reginald Herbert, 15th Earl of Pembroke.[1] He spent his first few years in Castletown, Ireland. At the age of four, he moved to the family home of Wilton, near Salisbury.[1] Attending Wixenford Preparatory School, he was later sent on to Eton.

Performing career

David had brief stints as both a film actor, appearing in 1930's Knowing Men, and as a cabaret performer. He briefly shared an apartment with Noël Coward in the East End, and was satirized by Lord Berners as the character Daisy Montgomery in his 1936 satiric novel, The Girls of Radcliff Hall.[3] He was also scathingly satirized as "Peter Barclay" in William Bayer's novel Tangier.

Writing career

David's books recall his years in the company of such figures as Cecil Beaton, Lady Diana Cooper, Noël Coward, Paul and Jane Bowles, Cyril Connolly, Brian Howard, Barbara Hutton, Osbert Sitwell and Tallulah Bankhead. These include Second Son: An Autobiography (1972), which included a foreword by Paul Bowles and photographs by Cecil Beaton, Engaging Eccentrics: Recollections (1990), his second volume of autobiography, and Relations and Revelations: Advice to Jemima (1992), a book of memories and opinions written in the form of advice to his great-niece Jemima.

Personal life

David spent almost fifty years in Tangier, Morocco where he was known for his vibrant personality, frequent lavish parties,[1] good taste, and ruthless snobbery.[4] He was referred to by Ian Fleming as 'the Queen of Tangier'.[5] He was labeled as the 'most terrible snob' by author Patrick Thursfield, who regularly enjoyed attending his famous parties.[6]

Death

David died of kidney failure in 1995 and was buried in the cemetery at Saint Andrew's Church. He had been a devout Anglican. On his tombstone was engraved, "He loved Morocco".

  • Church of St. Andrew's, Tangier, Morocco
    Church of St. Andrew's, Tangier, Morocco
  • tomb of David Herbert
    tomb of David Herbert

References
  1. Stevens, Christopher (2010). Born Brilliant: The Life of Kenneth Williams. John Murray. p. 392. ISBN 978-1-84854-195-5.
  2. Michael De-La-Noy (4 April 1995). "Obituary: David Herbert". The Independent.
  3. Hoare, Philip. Noël Coward: A Biography. Page 238. University of Chicago Press, 1938
  4. O'Hagan, Andrew (11 April 2014). "The Aesthetes". Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  5. Carr, Virginia Spencer. Paul Bowles: A Life. Page 205. Simon and Schuster, 2004.
  6. Walton, Tony (2011). Up the Kasbah. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-9566091-1-3.
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