Monitor: Quentin Crisp

US tributes to gay icon Quentin Crisp who died in Manchester this week

The New York Times

A RESIDENT of East Village, Quentin Crisp was a neighbourhood celebrity known for his wardrobe of splashy scarves, violet eyeshadow and white hair upswept and tucked under a black fedora. Moving to the US, he maintained, was his proudest achievement. He loved Americans for "their belief that personality is the greatest power on earth". As cherished a character as he was by many, Crisp had his detractors, especially gay men who decried his claim that gay pride was an oxymoron. His provocative comments aside, Crisp's homosexuality was always front and centre in the way he lived, filtered through his particular mix of pride, anger and wit. (Alex Witchel)

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quentincrisp.com

EVEN THE seemingly indestructible Quentin Crisp had to die some time. He wanted to die at 90 and got his wish. The saddest thing about his death is that he was not in his beloved New York, but in England. I had the honour of meeting him on a number of occasions. He was always charming and witty. He was famous for going wherever his fare was paid but gave more than he received. His courage was, and will always be, an inspiration all over the world. (Mike Bell)