Donald Windham

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Donald Windham (July 2, 1920-) is an American novelist and memoirist. He is perhaps best known for his close friendships with Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Windham moved with his partner Fred Melton, an artist, to New York City in 1939. He collaborated with Williams on a play, You Touched Me!, based off of a D.H. Lawrence story, in 1942. Windham became estranged from Williams in the seventies after Williams published his innacurate Memoirs (1975). Windham later published a volume of their correspondence, which Williams incorrectly claimed was done without his permission. Windham remained a friend of Capote until Capote's death. Windham also met and befriended such diverse figures as Lincoln Kirstein, Pavel Tchelitchew and Paul Cadmus.

Windham's novels include the the Dog Star (1950), praised by André Gide and Thomas Mann, the Hero Continues (1960), which was likely based on Williams, and Tanaquil (1972), based on the life of George Platt Lynes. Lost Friendships, a memoir of his friendship with Capote and Williams, was published in 1987. It has been regarded by some as his best book. Homosexuality is one of many themes treated in his work.