Joe Ackerley, later known as J.R. Ackerley, was the son of Roger Ackerley, who had at least two separate families, both of which he lived with at times, leading to a complex and unconventional family dynamic. Joe's mother Janetta Aylward had another son, Peter Ackerley, and a daughter, Nancy, by the same father, further complicating Joe's family situation.
Growing up, Joe struggled to come to terms with his own sexuality, taking time to realize that he was attracted to his own sex. Despite this, he and his older brother Peter became officers in the British army during the First World War, with both brothers being wounded and Peter ultimately being killed in action. Joe's experience as a prisoner of war would later inspire him to write a play called "Prisoners of War", which premiered in 1925.
After the war, Ackerley attended Magdalene College at Cambridge University, graduating in 1921. He then spent a year working in India, which would later serve as the inspiration for his book "Hindoo Holiday". Returning to London, Ackerley began to establish himself as a literary figure, working as a literary editor for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and reviewing books and plays. He also encouraged the work of young literary figures, including W.H. Auden.
Throughout his life, Ackerley wrote numerous books on a variety of subjects, including two books about his dog, Queenie. His memoir "My Father and Myself", published in 1968, was a candid exploration of his life, including his experiences with homosexuality and illegitimacy. At least three of his books have been adapted into movies, and the BBC series "Omnibus" presented a drama based on his life.
