Life and Career in Sante Fe
Bynner settled in Santa Fe, in a steady and acknowledged 30-year homosexual relationship with Robert Hunt. He became a friend of D. H. Lawrence, whom he hosted on Lawrence's first visit to Amerca, and traveled with him and Frieda von Richthofen in Mexico. He and his partner Willard Johnson are portrayed in Lawrence's The Plumed Serpent. Much later, in 1951, he wrote on Lawrence in Journey With Genius.
Bynner and Hunt had numerous parties at their house, hosting many notable writers, actors, and artists, which guests included Ansel Adams, Willa Cather, Igor Stravinsky, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Robert Frost, W. H. Auden, Aldous Huxley, Clara Bow, Errol Flynn, Rita Hayworth, Christopher Isherwood, Carl Van Vechten, Martha Graham, Georgia O'Keeffe and Thornton Wilder.
On January 18, 1965, Bynner had a severe stroke. He never recovered, and required constant care until he died on June 1, 1968. His papers are archived in the New Mexico State University Library.
As of 1996, his house has become the Inn of the Turquoise Bear" Since becoming a Bed and Breakfast many celebrities and entertainers have stayed there including Bea Arthur, Rufus Wainwright, Amanda McBroom (cabaret singer), Mary Travers (of Peter, Paul and Mary), Andy Parker (of UFO rock band), Lauren Hutton, Albita (Cuban Singer), Chris Calloway (singer and daughter of Cab Calloway), Christopher Allport (actor), Barney Frank, Dave Pallone (author of 'Behind the Mask'), Joel Silberman (Composer and performer) and celebrity travel columnists, Donald Pile and Ray Williams.
bed and breakfast.Read more about this topic: Witter Bynner
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“It is a great many years since at the outset of my career I had to think seriously what life had to offer that was worth having. I came to the conclusion that the chief good for me was freedom to learn, think, and say what I pleased, when I pleased. I have acted on that conviction... and though strongly, and perhaps wisely, warned that I should probably come to grief, I am entirely satisfied with the results of the line of action I have adopted.”
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