This groundbreaking and much needed biographical study reassembles the known fragments of Spare's life into a more complete and coherent picture and provides many new insights into his life as an artist from his early successes within the London art scene, to his rejection of the gallery system, his life during war time, the ups and downs of his time living in poverty and obscurity, and more. Spare was still able to create fantastic art through it all. Baker also shines a light on Spare's personal life with important biographical details of those who travelled in and out of Spare's orbit. The definitive biography of Austin Osman Spare.