The Naked Civil Servant (book)

The Naked Civil Servant is the 1968 autobiography of witty gay icon Quentin Crisp, adapted into a 1975 film of the same name starring John Hurt.

The book began as a 1964 radio interview with Crisp conducted by his friend and fellow eccentric Philip O'Connor. A managing director at Jonathan Cape heard the interview and commissioned the publication. Having sold only 3,500 copies when first released, the book became a success in republication following the television movie broadcast.^[1]

The book contains many anecdotes about Crisp's life from childhood to middle age, including troubles he faced by refusing to hide his homosexuality and flamboyant lifestyle during a time when such behavior was criminalized in the United Kingdom. Crisp also recalls his various jobs including book designer, nude model, and prostitute.^[1]

The title derives from Crisp's quip about being an art model: employed by schools, models are ultimately paid by the Department for Education. They are essentially civil employees who are naked during office hours.

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