Tuesday, March 03, 2015

Handling William Faulkner's Drinking During Foreign Trips



Novelist William Faulkner was notorious for his hard drinking. Keeping an eye on his drinking became a mandate of State Department officers at the U.S. Information Agency during Faulkner’s official trips abroad.

A document called “Guidelines for Handling Mr. William Faulkner on His Trips Abroad” composed and discreetly circulated.Included in the document were the following:
  • “Keep several pretty young girls in the front two rows of any public appearance to keep his attention up”
  • “Put someone in charge of his liquor at all times so that he doesn’t drink too quickly”
  • “Do not allow him to venture out on his own without an escort”

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