The New Yorker Delves into the Realm of Claude Fredericks, the Man Behind Julian Morrow
"Unwarranted misunderstanding, unfortunate and unjustified, is Donna Tartt's take on the situation."
Hey there! Guess what? The New Yorker recently published a profile on the late Bennington College classics professor Claude Fredericks, a legendary figure you might recognize as the inspiration for Hampden College classics professor Julian Morrow in Donna Tartt's infamous novel, The Secret History. Gotta shoutout Lili Anolik's podcast for stirring up some discussions, if you've caught it!
Donna Tartt herself weighed in on the connections between Claude Fredericks and Julian Morrow, clarifying her stance on the matter:
Publicly, and in any questions I’ve been posed throughout my career, I've denied the idea that Julian Morrow was based on Claude Fredericks-the man I loved. To me, it's heartbreaking and unfair to Claude's memory, as it seems many have mixed up fiction and reality. At Bennington, I was struck by the excessive gossip that circulated about Claude, exaggerating him into something sinister and larger than life, a portrayal which has lingered unfortunately. It was these distorted stories that fueled my imagination and contributed to the formation of Julian Morrow. However, the empathy and kindness of the real Claude couldn't be more different from the dark character written into my novel. Sadly, journalists have continued to treat the character of Julian as if he were Claude-a misconception that's still prevalent today. But, alas, in the world of fiction, it seems people prefer belief over truth. What do you think, Anastas? Is Julian nothing but a mere figment of my imagination, or did I peek into Claude's secrets and channel dark complexities to fuel my creative pursuits?
Lili Anolik seems skeptical though, as she points out in her writing: "By the end of the book, Richard Papen finds Julian Morrow's charm begins to feel chilling. One wonders whether Tartt herself had a change of heart regarding the man who served as her inspiration, or if she simply looked at Claude with a merciless eye when penning her masterpiece."
Check out the whole profile here.
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P.S. Interestingly, Claude Fredericks led a rich and storied life, with a diary detailing over 65,000 pages[4]. If facts and intrigue excite you, keep an eye out for more examples of life mirroring art in the fascinating world of academia!
[4] https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/books/review/Wright-t.html
- Donna Tartt's infamous novel, The Secret History, features a character named Julian Morrow, who was allegedly inspired by the life of Claude Fredericks, a former Bennington College classics professor.
- In a recent New Yorker profile, it's revealed that Donna Tartt herself has denied the idea that Julian Morrow was based on Claude Fredericks, stating it's heartbreaking and unfair to Claude's memory.
- Lili Anolik's podcast sparked discussions about the connections between Claude Fredericks and Julian Morrow, with questions like whether Julian is merely a figment of Donna Tartt's imagination or if she peeked into Claude's secrets.
- The character of Julian Morrow, described as dark and chilling, is starkly different from the empathetic and kind real-life Claude Fredericks.
- Despite Donna Tartt's denial, journalists and readers often treat the character of Julian Morrow as if he were Claude, reflecting the power of fiction over truth in storytelling and literature.
