Cecil Gray

A distinguishing characteristic of the Aldington marriage was their belief in free love. Each party engaged in extra-marital affairs with the other's full knowledge: HD with Cecil Gray , and Richard Aldington with Flo Fallas

By 1916 Lawrence and HD were corresponding regularly and exchanging literary works. HD found his friendship comforting and supportive during the escalating turmoil of war. After he and Frieda left Cornwall under suspicion of spying...

HD met Cecil Gray , a musician and musicologist, through D. H. Lawrence in December 1917 while her husband was away at war. She began to live with him in Cornwall in spring 1918. Her...

Bryher, the illegitimate daughter of wealthy shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman , had developed an interest in HD after reading her poetry, and wrote to her requesting a meeting. She had obtained HD's address from...

It is now generally accepted among HD's biographers and critics that Cecil Gray had fathered the child. HD informed her Richard Aldington , her husband, of her pregnancy while he was still on active duty...

These date from 1921-2 and (like their successor, HERmione, written in 1927 and published as Her in 1981), are romans à clef. They trace the events of HD's emotional life (she appears as Hermione...