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Universal Man: The Seven Lives of John Maynard Keynes

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Published in time to mark the 70th anniversary of the death of John Maynard Keynes, this thematic biography revives our understanding of the 20th Century’s most charismatic and revolutionary economist, a man whose ideas continue to influence global finance today.

John Maynard Keynes saved Britain from financial crisis twice over the course of two World Wars, and instructed Western industrialised states on how to protect themselves from revolutionary unrest, economic instability, high unemployment and social dissolution. In the wake of the recent global financial crisis, economists worldwide have once again turned to his ideas to confront their problems.

In this entertaining and edifying new biography, Richard Davenport-Hines introduces the man behind the economics; a connoisseur, intellectual, economist, administrator and statesman who was equally at ease socialising with the Bloomsbury Group as he was when influencing the policies of Presidents.

By exploring the desires and experiences that made Keynes think as he did, or compelled him to innovate, Davenport-Hines reveals the aesthetic basis of Keynesian economics, and explores why this Great Briton’s ideas continue to instruct and encourage us seventy years after his death.

433 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2015

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Richard Davenport-Hines

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Louise.
1,848 reviews384 followers
September 12, 2015
I didn’t finish this book. The two stars represent the experience up to p. 210, which showed no sign of improving. Normally, I drop books like this before p. 100 and put them aside without review. I’m writing this because I wanted to know about Keynes and this book was such a let down.

It is organized around his different roles: “The Official”, “The Public Man”, “the Lover” (where I gave up), “The Connoisseur” and “The Envoy”. This means that you run into things like Keynes’ traveling with his wife to her native Russia, after you learn that he is gay, and before any other mention of her, and at p. 210 – still no mention of courtship/marriage. The text can be bumpy; a reference like “this book” can be used but its antecedent is two or three pages prior.

There is a reliance on subjective and personal opinions. You learn what people think of him and what he thought of others. While you might expect them in the "Lover" section, they are all over the career sections. An example of this chatty/catty trait on p. 56 is the description of the Apostles (a Cambridge philosophical group) who are described as “charmless”, “gawky” “unlovely”; One member had acne and walked comically. On p. 176, the “New Statesman said of Keynes: “He seems to have almost every defect … almost certifiable, extraordinarily tendentious in a frightfully boring way, with bees in bonnets…” This type of quoted material can be strung together over several pages.

Either the book or Keynes is Euro-central to a fault. The Treaty of Versailles is only discussed regarding Europe, with no mention of the carving up of the Middle East. Virginia Woolf (his good friend who thought “he looked like an eel” (p.191)) critiques economic and political theory.

More background in British history of the WWI, the post war period and its players may have helped, but would not have changed the choice of petty tidbits (i.e. Keynes flirted with Einstein). People and events for which I had no context were listed and/or named in passing. I just gave up.
Profile Image for Susan Steed.
163 reviews9 followers
December 21, 2015
This is a pretty readable account of Keynes.

Probably the two most interesting things I learnt are:

1. He was a massive pacifist.
His Dad cancelled their subscription to the Times because of the glee which they reported the deaths of the other side in the war. He almost resigned his government position due to forced conscription. It also interested me how at the time newspapers described those who wouldn't fight as ‘slackers’ which is almost exactly the same language used today for those who are out of work.

2. He had a lot of sex. So much in fact that this guy dedicated a whole chapter to his sexy times. I got bored of this chapter but found it interesting that he kept a list of everyone he had the sex with.

There is some great economics history stuff it’s a bit jumbled by the decision to structure around themes rather than but this in chronological order.
This book is light on the economics, and indeed the author makes it clear he wants to not go into massive details on this but I actually found it left me quite confused on where Keynes stood on things like deficits, taxation, exports etc.


Overall a reasonable read but wouldn’t heartily recommend.


Profile Image for Antti Kauppinen.
107 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2015
While this biography makes clear that Keynes led a very interesting life, it has only very superficial things to say about the most interesting part of it, namely his thoughts, theories, and initiatives. In contrast, his very active sex life and relationships are covered in unnecessary and sometimes boring detail.
Profile Image for Tony Fitzpatrick.
399 reviews4 followers
March 18, 2021
As an AS level Economics student in the 1970s I once had to write an essay entitled "Keynes is Dead, discuss". My understanding of the contribution of this late Edwardian academic Economist to modern economic thinking has probably not progressed much since then. I was however intrigued by the narrative in a recent biography of Clement Attlee about how Keynes had more or less single handily stopped the US pulling the financial plug on Britain at the end of the Second World War.

This 2015 book by William Collins describes the various facets of Keynes relatively short (1883-1946) life, compartmentalising it into seven roles - Altruist, Boy Prodigy, Official, Public Man, Lover, Connoisseur, and Envoy. It is fascinating, and gives a rounded portrait of a rather unique man. This approach of dividing a life into "compartments" is perhaps backed by a key quote from the book ... "Most accomplished and effective Englishmen of Keynes’s class compartmentalized their lives. It was inherent in their cultural assumptions to categorize and segregate emotions and people according to their worth, to manage their conflicting motives and experiences by keeping them apart, and to be discerning in their evaluation of ideas and institutions. Compartmentalization was implanted by family circumstances, instilled by boyhood training, and found in manhood to be indispensable for forming priorities and making choices."

At heart Keynes was an Edwardian, grounded in the pre-WWI world of privileged education (Eton and Cambridge), and the social circles that ran government and empire. He was however unusual - a somewhat promiscuous gay man for much of his life (until he married a Russian Ballerina!) and a terrible flirt for all of it. He was an unique thinker on matters of personal financial management, an art lover, risk taker, and delighter in much of what society had to offer. But it was his academic work, especially his contributions to the debate around the post WWI repatriation settlement with Germany, his Treasury work in the 20s and depressed 30s, and then his decisive role in post war economic reconstruction, which all assured his long lasting fame. I am not sure I would have enjoyed his company, but many did. Keynes had friendships and love affairs with people in all walks of life, and in all classes. His attitude to personal morality and intimacy was summarised by "from the age of twenty-four or so, Keynes set out to enjoy his body, even if it looked repugnant, rather than accept a life sentence of solitary confinement within it".

One take away, which we still need to always remember when dealing with the US "...The negotiations over Lend-Lease, American post-war rescue loans and global financial institutions showed repeatedly that London’s trust in a special Anglo-American relationship, on a fair and equal footing, was naive. The United States was intent on world leadership, and saw its London allies as useful but not needing much respect."

The approach taken in this book, although not that of a conventional biography worked well. An enjoyable and interesting read.
Profile Image for Frank B. Farrell.
41 reviews
May 17, 2024
Keynes lived one of the more interesting 20th-century lives and Davenport-Hines has narrated it well. It is tempting to separate two sides of Keynes’s life as if they had little to do with one another. On the one side, he was the public economist who worked for the British Treasury during the Great War, negotiating the conditions of large American loans needed to continue the war and analyzing the matter of whether to stay on the gold standard. He was at the peace conference in Paris and famously wrote a book lampooning the Allied leaders and arguing that peace and prosperity for the European future required a prosperous Germany not burdened by reparations that were too punitive. During the 1920s and 1930s he developed the economic views that became known as Keynesianism and after World War II he represented Great Britain at the conference that debated loan repayments from the war and determined the future of the global monetary and economic world order, with America and not England now clearly in charge of matters. (He died soon after returning home from his exhausting labors.) On the other side, he was shaped by the aesthetic and psychological culture of Edwardian Eton and King’s College, Cambridge; by his membership in the Apostles discussion society at Cambridge; by his Bloomsbury friendships with Strachey, Woolf, and others; and by his homosexual love affairs, with Duncan Grant, for example, and his frequent picking up of young men for sex. (After two decades of sometimes promiscuous homosexual behavior, Keynes as he neared forty fell in love with the Russian dancer Lydia Lopokova and married her, leading to a satisfying intimate life with her until his death.)

It is a great strength of Davenport-Hines’s book that he shows how these two quite different sides, the public economist and the clever Bloomsbury aesthete, are actually closely related. It was the Bloomsbury side that made him value liberalism in general and the Liberal party over the Tories and Labour. For he set a very high value on individual liberty, on the quirky ways passionate individuals might give shape to their lives and have unorthodox opinions, on social conditions that produced individual excellence and individual aspiration of the very highest order, and on the duty to submit one’s arguments to the highest standards of rational inquiry, as in the Apostles and the Bloomsbury circle. These preferences made him detest communism, which he thought of as a profoundly leveling system based on a coercive discouragement of individuality and on economic theories already known to be worthless. He disliked socialism as well, seeing it as reducing individual liberty and initiative as well as hindering the pursuit of individual excellence by those who were the most able. Keynes was, in the end, a patrician elitist whose intelligence was often displayed and nourished at regular dining clubs and discussion groups at which highly accomplished figures from England’s elite institutions would meet. (It is clear from this narrative how important such meetings were at the time.)

Keynes’s economic theory, as Davenport-Hines shows, is more nuanced than many understand it to be. He was consistent in emphasizing the need for increasing demand during economic downturns, whether through government infrastructure spending that would increase employment or through encouraging the well-off to invest in large projects instead of merely saving. (He occasionally lamented the vanishing of the great capitalist barons who would invest very large portions of their wealth in giant undertakings such as railroads, shipbuilding, port and canal construction, and the like.) On the other hand, he did not believe in deficit spending as a good idea in general; the nation’s regular budget should be kept in balance even as special outlays for the infrastructure projects, in order to increase overall demand, were approved during the downturns. Over time the free-trade liberalism of his youth became more accommodating to protective tariffs and to the idea that a nation’s economy might be a somewhat sovereign one dependent on its own industries. He challenged as well the classical theory regarding what the consequences would be of increasing the money supply in various circumstances. As opposed to a certain classical liberalism that disliked government planning and control, while favoring the free market, Keynes was an optimist about the capacity of very well-trained, highly knowledgeable people to guide government policies in an effective manner. (He had less optimism about ordinary politicians, who tended always to admit his great intelligence while being deeply skeptical about the application of his ideas to the actual economy of a nation.) If you wish to know the details of Keynes’s relationship with Duncan Grant or with some of his other lovers or the details of his advice to the government and bankers in the crisis of the Depression (the British government should not reduce spending in order to get a lower rate on its debt), Davenport-Hines presents them for you thoughtfully.

For further writing on topics and books like this one, see my Substack page: https://frankbfarrell.substack.com/
Profile Image for Andrew Pratley.
443 reviews9 followers
June 19, 2022
Having just read Robert Skidelsky's masterful one volume version of his biography of the great man I was curious about this book from Richard Davenport-Hines which takes instead a thematic rather than a chronological approach to the life of John Maynard Keynes. Overall, it worked for me. For those who don't want to get too bogged down in detail especially regarding the development of economic theory this is great introduction to one of the most important figures of the twentieth century. Keynes is arguably after Winston Churchill the most consequential British figure of his times. The seven themes that are explored in this book provide the reader with a three dimensional portrait of its subject. Keynes was a man of genius whose thinking & writing on economics was informed by the rest of his life's activities. To really understand his economics it helps greatly to understand the man. Eminently readable.
Profile Image for Luiz.
58 reviews
July 7, 2017
Interesting take on doing a biography and much better than only talking about his public life and his theories in the abstract. A little bit scattered and more of a news article in how it talks more about his and others impressions then what they did. But having read some other books about that time period getting stuff done was all about who you know and out maneuvering the others. Once the Americans became a superpower it shifted to being able to get stuff done and pay for it where they are still somewhat 18th century in a class system. Was caught off guard by the lover section but once I thought about myself and how big a role that played in my own life it makes total sense for a biography to cover that as it is a huge part of people’s thoughts and identity. I bet reading all those Bloomsbury journals was dry and hilarious- could have used more quotes.
Profile Image for Stephen Goldenberg.
Author 3 books51 followers
June 27, 2017
As the title says, Keynes was certainly a universal man- a philosopher, an intellectual, an economist, a politician and a patron of the arts (he was instrumental in setting up the Arts Council). His private life was equally eventful, having numerous relationships with both men and women. One of the few people to have an economic and political theory named after him- Keynesian.
Richard Davenport-Hines' approach is interesting- dividing his life into seven sections rather than writing a traditional chronological biography. The problem for me was that, much as I would like to understand more about economics, I found the detail of the chapter on Keynes' theories and practice hard to follow. There is also an overwhelmingly large cast of characters.
Profile Image for Roger Carter.
60 reviews
March 12, 2019
Heavy going in parts and I got bogged down when It came to the very detailed technical bits but all in all this is a very complete and eye opening biography of one of the most influential characters of the 20th C. My comment to a friend after reading this was "I can't believe that anyone could lead such a life". Keynes was a man of many parts and all of them fascinating, admirable or shocking in turns and sometimes even bizarre. "There were giants in the land...".
Profile Image for Karen-Leigh.
3,011 reviews25 followers
June 22, 2017
I always assume when I am bored or fine it a hard slog to get through a book that it is my fault, the timing was bad, my interest in the subject has flagged. I skimmed a lot of this one ...speed reading is not the way to dig deep into a book and absorb its contents. I will keep it and try again next time I find myself wallowing in Bloomsbury with it denizens and hangers-on.
Profile Image for David.
75 reviews4 followers
December 11, 2024
Enjoyed this author’s view of John Maynard Keynes life, the book flowed nicely and informatively. I knew a reasonable amount about this person from other sources and studies, nonetheless this is a valuable addition to anyone who’s interested in one of the most famous economists of the 20th Century.
4 reviews
January 21, 2018
Pretty confusing as an audiobook. I don't know if it was the narrator or the book it self. But some chapters seems more or less like lists of things. Such as the chapter on his love life. I don't know what the important parts of that chapter was.
132 reviews2 followers
July 12, 2025
凯恩斯是公认的二十世纪最伟大的经济学家,他是自由资本主义的救星,他对第一次世界经济危机的治理,二战后世界经济秩序的恢复有着重要贡献。同时对社会主义国家经济的发展也起到不可或缺的作用。说他的“利他主义”是指他的经济理论出发点就是关注全员就业,而不仅是经济发展,事实也证明每次经济高速发展之后都孕育着更大的经济危机,这个时候往往忘记了经济发展的根本目的是为了全员的更好工作,而人民必定是推动历史发展根本动力。
Profile Image for Iskender.
15 reviews10 followers
May 30, 2017
Though not very good in helping one penetrate Keynes' thoughts, economic theories etc, does an excellent job in contextualizing him.
Profile Image for Anne.
Author 1 book8 followers
August 14, 2017
Fascinating insight into the life and background of a significant figure in 20th century economics.
Profile Image for D.L. Morrese.
Author 11 books57 followers
October 9, 2017
Although I found this biography somewhat verbose, it's an interesting portrayal of one of the most influential economists of all time.
2 reviews
December 19, 2020
An amazing man

But an unreadable book. An exceptional life detailed in a style that left me thirsting for less. Dull, boring, verbose.
Profile Image for Jan.
1,254 reviews
March 10, 2023
A structural stylistic experiment that blocks the creation of a comprehensive portrait of this multifaceted man.
Profile Image for Mihai.
186 reviews18 followers
August 14, 2016
An interesting book having as a topic the life of one of the most famous XXth century economists, the author being interested in presenting not just Keynes's economic theories and academic output - little presented here, except maybe the magisterial The Economic Consequences of Peace - but also the complexities of his everyday life, his aspirations, the huge impact he had on shaping the world economics, his non-stop effort to push forward humanist and liberal ideals, an effort which cost him his life. It is hard to see a world without his achievements post WWI and mostly after the Brentton Woods accords. Keynes, the economist, the child prodigy, the academic, the art lover, the bon vivand are aspects that show us that the limits we choose to live by can be easily annihilated by a hunger for knowledge and the power of persuasion. Keynes, one of my heroes, remembered perfectly here by Davenport-Hines, is as much a universal man as a theoretician and statesman.
Profile Image for Nat.
730 reviews87 followers
Read
July 22, 2015
Very enjoyable. One gem:

[Keynes was made a baron in 1942. As a perk, he got to help design his own coat of arms.] "Keynes wished to commemorate the two institutions that most mattered to him by taking scholars of Eton and King's [Cambridge] as his supporters. However Wollaston [Garter King of Arms, in charge of heraldry] vetoed the Eton scholar from sporting a top-hat, as Keynes had requested, and tried to stop the King's scholar from wearing a mortar-board. Keynes was dissatisfied by the sketches made by the College of Arms' heraldic artist: he complained that the Eton scholar resembled 'a tawny Scot' and had too lined a face for his age" (p.323).

700 reviews5 followers
Read
September 5, 2016
Public man who revealed too much. Good economist, good convincer, good with people including his
homosexual tendencies for most of his life. Very influential on economic thinking after WWI and
til his death.
Lord Chalmers, Keynes wartime chief of the Treasury, used to say that every man ought to drive two horses abreast, one his work and the other some scholarly enthusiasm which would give relief from his duties. p. 66. . . what previously I didn't believe possible, that politicians behave in private life and say exactly the same things as they do in public. Their stupidity is inhuman. p. 134
Profile Image for Ade.
132 reviews14 followers
April 2, 2016
The non-chronological, theme-based organisation makes it difficult to gain a clear picture of Keynes's life, but does allow his manifest attributes to be delineated well and with clear admiration by Davenport-Hines. A terrible pity to have lost him scarcely halfway through his potential span of useful service, but a great fortune that the times in question produced such a gifted man at all.
Profile Image for Dean.
Author 6 books9 followers
June 22, 2015
Really enjoyed the emphasis on the life he lived rather than the just the economics he practiced.
Profile Image for Mohib.
49 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2018
It covers a economic theorist in short but it provides enough details on how he applied his thoughts into practice. Also it is more like a life story then detailing the details of his economic arguments. The Author clearly says in the beginning what other biographies are available and how is this ine different. i throughly enjoyed reading most of the books in some parts his personal life is covered in unnecessary detail that makes question the purpose of the book.
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