Converts : From Oscar Wilde to Muriel Spark, Why So Many Became Catholic in the 20th Century

Why Did Catholicism Attract Unlikely Converts in 20th-Century Britain?

The twentieth century is often seen as an era of growing, inexorable secularism. Yet, between the 1890s and the 1960s in Britain, there was a remarkable turn to Catholicism. During this period, Catholicism became an intellectual and spiritual fashion, drawing more than half a million converts, including many fascinating artists, writers, and thinkers.

Key Questions Explored:

• What drew these men and women to join the Catholic Church?
• What difference did conversion make to their lives?

A Look Into the Lives of Notable Converts

Melanie McDonagh delves into the lives of these remarkable individuals from the perspective of their faith. Among the notable converts are:

• The Decadent circle of Aubrey Beardsley and Oscar Wilde (who converted on his deathbed)
• Artists such as Gwen John and David Jones
• The philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe
• Renowned novelists including G. K. Chesterton, Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh, and Muriel Spark

What Catholicism Offered

For these individuals, Catholicism provided stability in increasingly febrile times. McDonagh explores:

• The personal lives and influences of these converts
• The societal reaction to their conversions
• The priests who guided them into the faith

This fascinating analysis sheds light on the spiritual and intellectual appeal of Catholicism during a time of cultural and social transformation.