Edward Gorey was a prolific and influential artist, writer, and illustrator, who created a unique and surreal world of dark humor, mystery, and death. He is best known for his whimsical and often macabre picture-books, such as The Gashlycrumb Tinies, The Doubtful Guest, and The Object-Lesson. He also illustrated many books by other authors, such as Bram Stoker, H.G. Wells, and T.S. Eliot. His distinctive style of pen-and-ink drawings, influenced by Victorian and Edwardian aesthetics, Japanese and Chinese art, and surrealism, has inspired generations of artists, filmmakers, and fans.
How Did Edward Gorey Die?
Edward Gorey died on April 15, 2000, at the age of 75, from an apparent heart failure. He had been suffering from diabetes and prostate cancer, but his death was unexpected and sudden. He collapsed at his home in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, and was pronounced dead at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis.
Gorey had lived in Yarmouth Port since 1986, after moving from New York City, where he had worked for the art department of Doubleday Anchor Books for many years. He converted a 19th-century sea captain’s house into his residence and studio, where he amassed a large collection of books, art, and ephemera. He also founded the Edward Gorey Charitable Trust, which supports animal welfare and environmental causes. He left his entire estate, estimated at $20 million, to the trust.
What Was Edward Gorey’s Legacy?
Edward Gorey’s legacy is evident in the enduring popularity and influence of his works, which have been translated into many languages, adapted into various media, and exhibited in museums and galleries. His books have sold millions of copies and have been praised by critics and readers alike for their wit, imagination, and originality. His illustrations have graced the covers and pages of many publications, such as The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books, and The Atlantic. His art has also been used for posters, calendars, stamps, and merchandise.
Gorey’s influence can be seen in the works of many contemporary artists, such as Tim Burton, Neil Gaiman, Lemony Snicket, and Mark Ryden. His style has also inspired the genres of gothic, steampunk, and horror. His work has been adapted into plays, operas, ballets, and films, such as the animated opening sequence of the PBS series Mystery! He also won a Tony Award for his costume design for the Broadway production of Dracula in 1977.
Gorey was a modest and private person, who shunned fame and publicity. He once said, “I really think I write about everyday life. I don’t think I’m quite as odd as others say I am. Life is intrinsically, well, boring and dangerous at the same time. At any given moment the floor may open up. Of course, it almost never does; that’s what makes it so boring.”
Edward Gorey’s cause of death may have been heart failure, but his heart and mind left a lasting impression on the world of art and literature. He was a master of the macabre, the humorous, and the sublime, who created a timeless and unforgettable oeuvre. He was, in his own words, “a person who privileges the adjective”.
