Josephine Hart

Josephine Hart, Baroness Saatchi (1 March 1942 – 2 June 2011[1]), was an Irish writer, theatrical producer and television presenter who lived in London. Lady Saatchi wrote the novel Damage, which was the basis for the 1992 film of the same name, directed by Louis Malle and starring Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche and Rupert Graves.[2] It also formed the basis for the Netflix miniseries Obsession which premiered in 2023.[3]

For the American judge, see Josephine L. Hart.

Early years

Born at Mullingar, County Westmeath, she attended St. Louis convent school at Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, where she was encouraged by the nuns to recite verse at Irish festivals.[1] She moved to London in 1964.

Career

Formerly a director of Haymarket Publishing, Hart was a founder of Gallery Poets and West End Poetry Hour. She produced several West End plays, including the Evening Standard Award winner The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca.

She appeared on television as the presenter for the Thames TV series Books by My Bedside. Her papers are currently housed at the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at Boston University.

Books
  • Damage, Vintage Books, 1991
  • Sin, Vintage Books, 1992
  • Oblivion, Vintage Books, 1995
  • The Stillest Day, Chatto & Windus, 1998
  • The Reconstructionist, Chatto & Windus, 2001
  • Catching Life by the Throat: Poems from Eight Great Poets, W. W. Norton, 2008
  • The Truth About Love, Virago, 2009

Personal life

Hart was married to Maurice Saatchi, advertising magnate and former political advisor with whom she had one son, Edward Saatchi. Maurice was granted a peerage and became Baron Saatchi and as a result, she was entitled to the title The Lady Saatchi. She also had a son Adam Buckley from a previous marriage.

Death

Lady Saatchi died, aged 69, from primary peritoneal cancer on 2 June 2011.[1]

Legacy

Interest in Hart's poetry is maintained by the Josephine Hart Poetry Foundation, a registered charity under English law.[4]

References
  • 6 Josephine Hart Quotes That Still Break Your Heart, topnewquotes.com, TopNewQuotes
  1. Obituary: Josephine Hart, The Daily Telegraph, 3 June 2011
  2. Margalit Fox (5 June 2011). "Josephine Hart, Author of Best-Selling 'Damage,' Dies". The New York Times.
  3. Williams, Zoe; @zoesqwilliams (31 March 2023). "'The all-consuming orgasm': how erotic thriller Obsession takes sex to the next level". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  4. "THE JOSEPHINE HART POETRY FOUNDATION, registered charity no. 1145062". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
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