Quentin Crisp (December 25, 1908 - November 21, 1999), born Denis Pratt, became a gay icon in the 1970s after being one of the first men to come unashamedly out of the closet.

Known for his clever and often insightful witticisms, Crisp authored several books of autobiography and social advice, including The Naked Civil Servant and The Wit and Wisdom of Quentin Crisp. The Naked Civil Servant was later produced as a highly-successful television drama for the ITV network by Thames Television, with John Hurt starring as Crisp, who also put in a cameo appearance himself.

In his later years he appeared as a stage and film actor, notably as Queen Elizabeth I in the film Orlando.

Quotations

• "I am not famous, I am notorious, and if I am rich, it is because I have taken my wages in people."
• "I became one of the stately homos of England." (The Naked Civil Servant)

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Quentin Crisp

• www.crisperanto.org
• obituary (http://www.salon.com/people/obit/1999/12/03/crisp/) in Salon magazine
• Bibliography (http://www.crisperanto.org/books/Bibliography.html) including film roles

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