Arthur Koestler was a prominent author, born in Budapest in 1905 to Jewish parents Adele and Henrik Koestler. He was the only child in the family and his primary education started at an experimental private kindergarten founded by Laura Striker. Koestler's relationship with Striker's daughter, Eva Striker, lasted throughout his life, although they were only lovers during his early school years.
Koestler was educated in Austria, apart from his early school years in Budapest. He began his career in journalism and later joined the Communist Party of Germany in 1931. However, he became disillusioned with Communism and resigned from the party in 1938. This disillusionment was reflected in his anti-Communist novel, Darkness at Noon, published in 1940, which brought him instant international fame.
Throughout his life, Koestler was known for his prolific writing, producing essays, novels, and autobiographies. He was a prominent figure in many causes and wrote novels, biographies, and essays over the next four decades. Koestler's contributions to European culture were recognized in 1968 when he was awarded the prestigious Sonning Prize. In 1972, he was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
Koestler's health began to decline in 1976 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and three years later, he was diagnosed with leukemia in its terminal stages. In 1983, he committed suicide in London. Despite his tragic end, Koestler's legacy as a writer and commentator on the dilemmas of the 20th century lives on. His works, including Darkness at Noon, The Sleepwalkers, and The Ghost in the Machine, continue to be widely read and studied.