Page "George Orwell" Paragraph 81

Orwell's health had continued to decline since the diagnosis of tuberculosis in December 1947.

In the summer of 1949, he courted Sonia Brownell, and they announced their marriage in September, shortly before he was removed to University College Hospital in London.

Sonia took charge of Orwell's affairs and attended diligently in the hospital, causing concern to some old friends such as Muggeridge.

In September 1949 Orwell invited his accountant Harrison to visit him in hospital, and Harrison claimed that Orwell then asked him to become director of GOP Ltd and to manage the company but there was no independent witness.

Orwell's wedding took place in the hospital room on 13 October 1949, with David Astor as best man.

Orwell was in decline and visited by an assortment of visitors including Muggeridge, Connolly, Lucian Freud, Stephen Spender, Evelyn Waugh, Paul Potts, Anthony Powell and his Eton tutor Anthony Gow.

Plans to go to the Swiss Alps were mooted.

Further meetings were held with his accountant at which Harrison and Mr and Mrs Blair were confirmed as directors of the company and at which Harrison claimed that the " service agreement " was executed, giving copyright to the company.

Orwell's health was in decline again by Christmas.

On the evening of 20 January 1950, Potts visited Orwell and slipped away on finding him asleep.

However a later visit was made by Jack Harrison who claimed that Orwell gave him 25 % of the company.

Early on the morning of 21 January, an artery burst in his lungs, killing him at age 46.