What do you think?
Rate this book
Autobiography of Leonard Woolf #1
Sowing: An Autobiography Of The Years 1880 To 1904 – From Victorian London to Cambridge: Meeting Virginia Woolf and Bloomsbury
The author's childhood in Victorian London and his youth at Cambridge, when he met his future wife, Virginia, and others who were to become members of the Bloomsbury Group. "Just what an autobiography should be" (New Yorker).
210 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
4 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Leonard Woolf
143 books63 followersLeonard Sidney Woolf was a noted British political theorist, author, publisher (The Hogarth Press), and civil servant, but perhaps best-known as husband to author Virginia Woolf.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 5, 2014
This is the first volume in Leonard Woolf’s five volume autobiography; covering the years 1880 to 1904 (childhood and university). Woolf wrote his autobiographies in his 80s (the 1960s). This volume covers his early childhood whilst his father was alive and the family was wealthy, the death of his father and the family having to move to save money, various public schools and finally Cambridge.
It is very interesting, but rather dry and analytical. Woolf clearly had a brilliant mind and the best parts of the book are where he describes his relationships with the other members of the Apostles at Cambridge; Lytton Strachey, Sydney Saxon-Turner, Keynes, Thoby Stephen etc. I would have to describe Woolf as sympathetic and perceptive but rather emotionally closed and pedantic. He does not go in to great detail about his home life and Jewish upbringing; he decided he was a sceptic very young and did not practise his faith or attend synagogue. Learning and books were what really motivated him.
Virginia and her sister Vanessa make an appearance later in the book. He describes the first time he saw them and it is worth quoting;
“ I first saw them one summer afternoon in Thoby’s rooms; in white dresses and large hats, with parasols in their hands, their beauty literally took one’s breath away, for suddenly seeing them one stopped astonished, and everything, including one’s breathing, for one second, also stopped as it does when in a picture gallery you suddenly come face to face with a great Rembrandt or Velasquez, or in Sicily rounding a bend in the road you see across the fields the lovely temple of Segesta”
That, I think, is an interesting reaction and an unusual way of describing attraction. It seemed to me to be more of an aesthetic than emotional reaction. The growth of Woolf’s political and moral views was illuminating and he was very clearly strongly influenced by the philosopher G E Moore. Woolf was also clearly influenced by Freud from the way he frames his reminiscences and he also explains that he and contemporaries were in revolt against a certain high Victorian moral sense. He has to explain this because when he was writing in 1960 it was pretty much beyond living memory.
I would recommend Victoria Glendenning’s excellent biography for a full picture of Woolf. However this is interesting background reading for those interested in Virginia Woolf. 3.5 stars.
It is very interesting, but rather dry and analytical. Woolf clearly had a brilliant mind and the best parts of the book are where he describes his relationships with the other members of the Apostles at Cambridge; Lytton Strachey, Sydney Saxon-Turner, Keynes, Thoby Stephen etc. I would have to describe Woolf as sympathetic and perceptive but rather emotionally closed and pedantic. He does not go in to great detail about his home life and Jewish upbringing; he decided he was a sceptic very young and did not practise his faith or attend synagogue. Learning and books were what really motivated him.
Virginia and her sister Vanessa make an appearance later in the book. He describes the first time he saw them and it is worth quoting;
“ I first saw them one summer afternoon in Thoby’s rooms; in white dresses and large hats, with parasols in their hands, their beauty literally took one’s breath away, for suddenly seeing them one stopped astonished, and everything, including one’s breathing, for one second, also stopped as it does when in a picture gallery you suddenly come face to face with a great Rembrandt or Velasquez, or in Sicily rounding a bend in the road you see across the fields the lovely temple of Segesta”
That, I think, is an interesting reaction and an unusual way of describing attraction. It seemed to me to be more of an aesthetic than emotional reaction. The growth of Woolf’s political and moral views was illuminating and he was very clearly strongly influenced by the philosopher G E Moore. Woolf was also clearly influenced by Freud from the way he frames his reminiscences and he also explains that he and contemporaries were in revolt against a certain high Victorian moral sense. He has to explain this because when he was writing in 1960 it was pretty much beyond living memory.
I would recommend Victoria Glendenning’s excellent biography for a full picture of Woolf. However this is interesting background reading for those interested in Virginia Woolf. 3.5 stars.
March 25, 2018
I checked out Woolf's autobiography (in 5 volumes) to see if he had anything to say about Wittgenstein. He didn't. But I ended up reading this first volume because it covered up through his time at Trinity College Cambridge. I have a small love affair with Trinity College. It is the "home" not only of Wittgenstein, but also Bertrand Russell and G.E. Moore (about whom Woolf has an extensive account on pp. 108-128). I have been able to visit Trinity College twice, in 1999 and 2016. Meagan, who was with me in 1999, called it "Disneyland for philosophers." That felt about right. Woolf closes (pp. 169ff) with his paean to Trinity, which I enjoyed. Of course it was/is elitist and troublesomely traditional in its values (especially since this was Trinity 115 years ago), but it still appeals to something in me.
Some notable passages:
p. 7: Writing about his grandmother: "...she never had, I think, read a book or suffered from an abstract idea or had experienced the grinding of the intellect..." This reminded me of my father, in a good way.
p. 12: He was treated for scarlet fever as a boy with leeches.
passim: How deep and pervasive anti-intellectualism was in public schools during this era.
Some notable passages:
p. 7: Writing about his grandmother: "...she never had, I think, read a book or suffered from an abstract idea or had experienced the grinding of the intellect..." This reminded me of my father, in a good way.
p. 12: He was treated for scarlet fever as a boy with leeches.
passim: How deep and pervasive anti-intellectualism was in public schools during this era.
September 15, 2017
So, after reading the beautiful collection of Virginia Woolf's memoirs, Moments of Being, I ordered the first volume of Leonard Woolf's autobiography, and am mighty glad I did. It's very well written, in a style totally different from his wife's or Strachey's, very controlled and matter-of-factly, but pleasant to read, especially for the content. Leonard Woolf comes up as an extremely sensible and intelligent man - and he must have been also extremely patient, because I'm sure Virginia was not an easy person to live with - and one can understand how he fit so well in the Bloomsbury group, not being an artist himself, and was able to form such a stable and long partnership with the genius Virginia was.
I particularly liked his account of his Cambridge days, of the group of friends under the influence of G.E. Moore that were the roots of the Bloomsbury group - the blooming would come later, once the Stephen sisters were added to the group. They still represent for me the fascinating transition from 19th to 20th century civilization, the beginning of the Modern Age I so admired.
Looking forward to read the other volumes.
The facade tends with most people, I suppose, as the years go by, to grow inward so that what began as a protection and screen of the naked soul becomes itself the soul. This is part of that gradual loss of individuality which happens to nearly everyone and the hardening of the arteries of the mind which is even more common and more deadly than of those of the body. [...] I suspect that the male carapace is usually grown to conceal cowardice. [...] It was the fear of ridicule or disapproval if one revealed one's real thoughts or feelings, and sometimes the fear of revealing one's fears, that prompted one to invent that kind of second-hand version of oneself which might provide for one's original self the safety of a permanent alibi.
But when I was a young man, Karl Marx and the Russian communists had not yet invented the international political lunatic asylum of twentieth century communism in which intelligent people can, in the name of humanity, satisfy animosities and salve their consciences.
It is true that in a sense "we had no respect for traditional wisdom" and that, as Ludwig Wittgenstein complained, "we lacked reverence for everything and everyone." If "to revere" means, as the dictionary says, "to regard as sacred or exalted, to hold in religious respect", then we did not revere, we had no reverence for anything or anyone, and, so far as I am concerned, I think we were completely right; I remain of the same opinion still - I think it to be, not merely my right, but my duty to question the truth of everything and the authority of everyone, to regard nothing as sacred and to hold nothing in religious respect. That attitude was encouraged by the climate of scepticism and revolt into which we were born and by Moore's ingenuous passion for truth. The dictionary, however, gives an alternative meaning for the word "revere"; it may mean "to regard with deep respect and warm approbation." It is not true that we lacked reverence for everything and everyone in that sense of the word. After questioning the truth and utility of everything and after refusing to accept or swallow anything or anyone on the mere "authority" of anyone, in fact after exercising our own judgement, there were many things and persons regarded by us with "deep respect and warm approbation": truth, beauty, works of art, some customs, friendship, love, many living men and women and many of the dead.
One loves and hates one's family just as - one knows and they know - one is loved and hated by them. Most people are both proud and ashamed of their families [...] There is therefore a bitterness and ambivalence in these loyalties.
I particularly liked his account of his Cambridge days, of the group of friends under the influence of G.E. Moore that were the roots of the Bloomsbury group - the blooming would come later, once the Stephen sisters were added to the group. They still represent for me the fascinating transition from 19th to 20th century civilization, the beginning of the Modern Age I so admired.
Looking forward to read the other volumes.
The facade tends with most people, I suppose, as the years go by, to grow inward so that what began as a protection and screen of the naked soul becomes itself the soul. This is part of that gradual loss of individuality which happens to nearly everyone and the hardening of the arteries of the mind which is even more common and more deadly than of those of the body. [...] I suspect that the male carapace is usually grown to conceal cowardice. [...] It was the fear of ridicule or disapproval if one revealed one's real thoughts or feelings, and sometimes the fear of revealing one's fears, that prompted one to invent that kind of second-hand version of oneself which might provide for one's original self the safety of a permanent alibi.
But when I was a young man, Karl Marx and the Russian communists had not yet invented the international political lunatic asylum of twentieth century communism in which intelligent people can, in the name of humanity, satisfy animosities and salve their consciences.
It is true that in a sense "we had no respect for traditional wisdom" and that, as Ludwig Wittgenstein complained, "we lacked reverence for everything and everyone." If "to revere" means, as the dictionary says, "to regard as sacred or exalted, to hold in religious respect", then we did not revere, we had no reverence for anything or anyone, and, so far as I am concerned, I think we were completely right; I remain of the same opinion still - I think it to be, not merely my right, but my duty to question the truth of everything and the authority of everyone, to regard nothing as sacred and to hold nothing in religious respect. That attitude was encouraged by the climate of scepticism and revolt into which we were born and by Moore's ingenuous passion for truth. The dictionary, however, gives an alternative meaning for the word "revere"; it may mean "to regard with deep respect and warm approbation." It is not true that we lacked reverence for everything and everyone in that sense of the word. After questioning the truth and utility of everything and after refusing to accept or swallow anything or anyone on the mere "authority" of anyone, in fact after exercising our own judgement, there were many things and persons regarded by us with "deep respect and warm approbation": truth, beauty, works of art, some customs, friendship, love, many living men and women and many of the dead.
One loves and hates one's family just as - one knows and they know - one is loved and hated by them. Most people are both proud and ashamed of their families [...] There is therefore a bitterness and ambivalence in these loyalties.
November 27, 2024
I have stated elsewhere my high regard for LW as a writer . He has a very simple engaging writing style. I find I can relate to his stories as they are immediate straightforward and seeming truthful
Moreover this first volume tells of his Cambridge years at trinity around 1903-5. He was a scholar and in the company of many great and worthy men who went on to great fame. Fascinating to hear so many stories of these and their families.
Keynes , GE Moore , Morgan Forster , the Stephen Family Lytton Strachey et al.
I enjoyed for example his moving in 2 different circles. Circle one the Apostles with their worshipping of truth and aesthetics. His other circle - more laddish. He had to make sure the first circle knew nothing of the second. Ha ha. That made me smile.
During the read I recalled my time at the same institution 75 years later. Certainly I could recognise these 2 distinct groups , certainly I failed to join the former .
I thoroughly recommend this insight into now a distant most privileged world. I feel that Leonard Woolf makes that world briefly accessible and I enjoyed my visit very much .
Moreover this first volume tells of his Cambridge years at trinity around 1903-5. He was a scholar and in the company of many great and worthy men who went on to great fame. Fascinating to hear so many stories of these and their families.
Keynes , GE Moore , Morgan Forster , the Stephen Family Lytton Strachey et al.
I enjoyed for example his moving in 2 different circles. Circle one the Apostles with their worshipping of truth and aesthetics. His other circle - more laddish. He had to make sure the first circle knew nothing of the second. Ha ha. That made me smile.
During the read I recalled my time at the same institution 75 years later. Certainly I could recognise these 2 distinct groups , certainly I failed to join the former .
I thoroughly recommend this insight into now a distant most privileged world. I feel that Leonard Woolf makes that world briefly accessible and I enjoyed my visit very much .
January 6, 2025
I only know Leonard Woolf as Mr. Virginia, so it’s very interesting to read his story. His clear, flowing writing and commonsense views cut through pretensions and make him quite readable and approachable. I love his appreciation of his life at Cambridge in the early 1900s in the same way I remember my life as an undergraduate (“…I did little work at Cambridge, if work means going to lectures, reading [i.e, studying], and stuffing your head with what will give you a high place in an examination.” )
The people—famous names or no—come alive, and you get a sense of the fun and passion they had, even if they were also a little silly. That to me seems like real life. Looking forward to volume two.
The people—famous names or no—come alive, and you get a sense of the fun and passion they had, even if they were also a little silly. That to me seems like real life. Looking forward to volume two.
January 13, 2020
3.5 stars
This is the first in a series of autobiographies by Leonard Woolf, who is mostly interesting to me [and most modern readers] as Virginia [Woolf’s] husband. Since this period doesn’t really deal with his life with V, I put off reading it for a long time. However, once I began it, I found it very interesting and read it quickly and [found it] enjoyable. He is a good writer. His [autobiography] is deeply reflective and even anecdotal, and is far more concerned with the “development of the mind and spirit than dates and and times and places.” Good.
This is the first in a series of autobiographies by Leonard Woolf, who is mostly interesting to me [and most modern readers] as Virginia [Woolf’s] husband. Since this period doesn’t really deal with his life with V, I put off reading it for a long time. However, once I began it, I found it very interesting and read it quickly and [found it] enjoyable. He is a good writer. His [autobiography] is deeply reflective and even anecdotal, and is far more concerned with the “development of the mind and spirit than dates and and times and places.” Good.
February 26, 2021
I loved this. But I’m a massive Leonard fan. His way of writing and describing places, people and events is beyond brilliant. I can’t wait to begin the next instalment of the Leonard Woolf autobiography. If you love intelligent people and are interested in knowing more about growing up in the late 1800s and early 1900s, this excellent memoir is for you. Highly recommend.
April 7, 2024
"...I had experienced for the first time, without understanding it, that sense of cosmic unhappiness which comes upon us when those that look out of windows be darkened, when the daughters of music are laid low, the doors are shut in the street, the sound of the grinding is low, the grasshopper is a burden, and desire fails." p. 40
April 22, 2019
Although I’ve read a lot of Virginia Woolf’s work I’ve never read anything by her husband Leonard. This is a brief account of his early school days and time at Cambridge. An interesting account of his early meetings with Virginia and the Bloomsbury Group.
June 24, 2020
Really looking forward to the next volume, which I discover I own in a pretty good copy of the first American edition.
March 11, 2009
LW's life as a young child, growing up in London, feeling like an outsider because he was an intellectual. It seems that the most important event in his childhood was the death of his father when LW was eleven years old ... plunging the family from prosperity to virtual poverty. He excelled in school, where he managed to get into and afford Cambridge, and at that excellent university he met GE Moore (one of his greatest mentors), Lytton Strachey, Saxon Sydney Turner, and Thoby Stephens. He describes Cambridge as perhaps the best years of his life. I liked this book a lot ... he is human but not overly sentimental, stoic yet not cold.
November 2, 2007
I really enjoyed this book, read it quickly in spurts over two days or so, and am eager to read the rest of them. Enjoyable not only for his voice (clear and pondering and kind of charmingly aged), but for all the homely bits about his famous friends and his very famous wife.
Even though I found myself often disagreeing with his convictions (always stated very firmly), it didn't lessen my enjoyment of his writing and his reminiscences. Was fascinated by his accounts of his very Victorian boyhood and his years as a student at Cambridge.
A natural, enjoyable autobiographer.
Even though I found myself often disagreeing with his convictions (always stated very firmly), it didn't lessen my enjoyment of his writing and his reminiscences. Was fascinated by his accounts of his very Victorian boyhood and his years as a student at Cambridge.
A natural, enjoyable autobiographer.
December 4, 2014
This does reinforce my suspicion that Virginia and Leonard were probably somewhat intolerable to be around. So snooty! Although he does assert that his family's brush with "poverty" makes him a socialist - for compassionate reasons about how hard England makes it to get ahead if you don't start with money, although I can't imagine him actually interacting well with the working classes. But it's generally a delightful to read. At least the Bloomsbury group did productive things with all the time that they had on their hands from being rich and idle!
May 9, 2014
Woolf's first volume of his autobiography makes me wonder what dinner conversation was like between him and Virginia. So much of a whirlwind of people, ideas, opinions. The book almost requires an intimacy of Woolf's life already, naming names and stating opinions of their person in a couple of paragraphs and then brushing them aside. Fun fact: Woolf apparently had the cleanest feet his doctor had ever seen. This is before he set off for Ceylon.
September 24, 2012
Woolf is not a very smooth writer -- lots of lumps and bumps as he describes his childhood and University years and his friendships, particularly with Lytton Strachey and Maynard Keynes. Not a great analysis of the era or the personalities, but an interesting personal view of the time. This is an autobiography in five volumes. It will be interesting to see how it progresses.
April 5, 2012
First in Woolf's 5 vol. bio. A somewhat slow start but enough to intrigue me into moving on with the set.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews