The History of an Attraction
Creighton's first published novel and the chronological starting point.
Author guide
Basil Creighton Books in Order
Basil Creighton was a British novelist and prolific translator of German authors. He served in military intelligence during the First World War and translated 34 German novels between the world wars, including works by Hermann Hesse, Vicki Baum, Ernst Jünger, and B. Traven. His own fiction includes The History of an Attraction, Medner Hill Farm, and The Leaden Cupid, or, The Egoist Revisited.
literary fiction
Catalog record updated .
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (3)
- The History of an Attraction
novel · 1917
- Medner Hill Farm
novel · 1932
- The Leaden Cupid, or, The Egoist Revisited
novel · 1950
Frequently asked questions about Basil Creighton
Who was Basil Creighton?
Basil Creighton was a novelist and translator whose career centered on bringing German-language literature into English. Library authority records identify him as both a writer and translator.
Sources: deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de (opens in a new tab)nottingham.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
When did Basil Creighton live?
Creighton lived from 1885 to 1989 and died at the age of 103.
Sources: deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de (opens in a new tab)pnreview.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
How many German novels did Basil Creighton translate?
A University of Nottingham scholarly article records that Creighton had translated 34 German novels by the time of his death.
What did Basil Creighton do during the First World War?
He worked for military intelligence and took aerial photographs of German trenches.
Sources: cdn.manchesterhistory.org (opens in a new tab)nytimes.com (opens in a new tab)
Why is Basil Creighton remembered today?
His translation legacy remains visible in continuing editions: Penguin credits him for the English Steppenwolf, while New York Review Books credits his translation of Grand Hotel. A contemporary literary notice also remembered him as an outstanding translator and art collector.
Sources: penguin.co.uk (opens in a new tab)nybooks.com (opens in a new tab)pnreview.co.uk (opens in a new tab)