Paul Frederic Bowles American composer, writer and translator, expatriate Date of Birth: 30.12.1910 Country: USA

Biography of Paul Frederick Bowles

Paul Frederick Bowles was an American composer, writer, and translator who voluntarily left his homeland and lived his entire life in Tangier, Morocco. He was born on December 30, 1910, in New York City, as the only child in the family. His father, Claude Bowles, worked as a dentist, but he was a cold and authoritarian figure who forbade any games or entertainment. Bowles and his mother, Rena Bowles, shared a close bond, and she introduced him to the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe, sparking his interest in writing.

From a young age, Bowles could read and write, and he composed short stories and surrealistic poetry. He developed an interest in music when his father bought a phonograph and classical records, although his father disapproved of jazz and prohibited its presence in their home. Bowles taught himself music theory, singing, and piano when his family acquired a piano.

In 1928, Bowles continued his education at the University of Virginia, where he discovered the music of Prokofiev, Duke Ellington, Gregorian chants, and blues. In April 1929, he left university without his parents' knowledge, bought a ticket to Paris, and set off, initially planning not to return home. However, he came back to New York in July and began working in a bookstore while simultaneously working on his book, "Without Stopping," which later became his autobiography.

Bowles studied composition under Aaron Copland at university, and together they returned to Paris. In December 1931, his "Sonata for Oboe and Clarinet" premiered and received favorable reviews. He returned to New York in 1937, establishing a solid reputation as a talented composer, collaborating with renowned figures in the stage and film industry. Although his musical achievements somewhat overshadowed his writing success, some of his novels are considered classics of American literature. The film adaptation of his novel "The Sheltering Sky," directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, became a classic of world cinema.

In 1947, Bowles settled in Tangier, a port city in northern Morocco. The following year, his wife, writer Jane Bowles, joined him. They had a non-traditional marriage, both engaging in homosexual relationships with others, but maintaining a close and supportive partnership throughout their lives. Jane suffered from alcoholism and had a stroke in 1957, which affected her health for the rest of her life. She passed away in 1973 at the age of 40. The couple did not have children.

Except for a winter spent in Ceylon in the early 1950s, Tangier became Bowles' home for the next 52 years until his death. He passed away on November 18, 1999, at the age of 88, due to a heart attack at the Italian hospital in Tangier. In the years leading up to his death, Bowles experienced health issues and respiratory problems. His remains were buried in Lakemont, New York, next to the graves of his parents.