John S. Monagan - Anthony Powell Collection 1

Anthony Dymoke Powell (1905-2000) was born in London, England to Philip Lionel William Powell, an army officer, and Maud Mary Wells-Dymoke. Powell was educated at Balliol College, Oxford, where he earned his BA (1926) and MA (1944). His academic honors include a D.Litt. from the universities of Sussex (1971), Kent and Leceister (1976), Oxford (1980), and Bristol (1982). Powell's career as a writer was launched in 1931 with the publication of his first novel, 'Afternoon Men' under publisher Duckworth and Co. Ltd., with whom he was affiliated from 1926 to 1935. In 1936, Powell was a scriptwriter for Warner Brothers of Great Britain. During World War II, Powell served in the Welch Regiment infantry (1939-1941); the Intelligence Corps (1941-1945); and as liaison officer at the British War Office. His military honors include the rank of Major, receiving the Order of the White Lion (Czechoslovakia), the Order of Leopold II (Belgium), and the Oaken Crown and Croix de Guerre (Luxembourg).

Powell was also an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and of the Modern Language Society, a trustee of the National Portrait Gallery, London (1962-76), and a member of the London Travellers' Club. Other awards and honors conferred on Powell include, Commander of Order of the British Empire (1956); Companion of Honor (1988); the James Tait Black Memorial Prize (1958) for 'At Lady Molly's'; the W.H. Smith Fiction Award (1974) for 'Temporary Kings'; the Bennett Award from the 'Hudson Review'; and the T.S. Eliot Award from the Ingersoll Foundation (1984). Powell was also known for his series of novels under the overall title, 'A Dance to the Music of Time' (first British publication from 1951-1975). His other long work consists of memoirs entitled, 'To Keep the Ball Rolling: the Memoirs of Anthony Powell' (first British publication 1976-1982). He married Lady Violet Pakenham (1912-2002) in 1934 with whom he had two sons: Tristram (b. 1940) and John (b. 1946). Beginning in 1952 they lived at The Chantry, a country home in Whatley, west of Frome, Somerset.

John Stephen Monagan (1911-2005) was born in Waterbury, and received his early education at Driggs, St. Mary's, and Crosby high schools there. He received his Bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in 1933 and later attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1937. In 1938 he was admitted to the Connecticut bar and commenced the practice of law in his home town of Waterbury the same year. Monagan held numerous commercial and political positions including president of the Waterbury Board of Alderman (1940-1943); mayor of Waterbury (1943-1948); member of the board of directors of the Waterbury Savings Bank; and delegate at the Democratic National Conventions (1944, 1948, 1960, 1964, 1968).

He was also a congressman in the US House of Representatives (D-Conn., 1959-1973). After an unsuccessful campaign for reelection in 1972, he resumed the practice of law. Monagan also published various works including Horace: Priest of the Poor (1985) and The Grand Panjandrum: Mellow Year of Justice Holmes (1988). Monagan married Rosemary Brady in 1949 with whom he had five children: Charles, Michael, Parthy, Laura, and Susan.