Trivia

In 1935 he entered into what was then known as a lavender marriage (a marriage of convenience, often by or between gay and lesbians) to the lesbian German actress and writer, Erika Mann, in order that she could obtain British citizenship, and a UK passport, so that she would not have to return to Nazi Germany, and also allowing her to move to the United States. They never lived together, but remained close friends and technically married until Erika's death in 1969.

Son-in-law of German writer Thomas Mann

He was a long-time friend and frequent correspondent of J.R.R. Tolkien (although they rarely saw each other).

Longtime romantic companion and sometime writing collaborator of Chester Kallman.

Originally scheduled to co-write the lyrics for "Man of La Mancha" with Chester Kallman. Both he and Kallman dropped out of the project when they and librettist Dale Wasserman disagreed about the point of view they should take when writing songs for Don Quixote to sing. Auden and Kallman did write some lyrics for the show, but they were entirely scrapped, and Joe Darion was hired instead.

Became a U.S. Citizen in 1946.

Briefly lived in a house in Brooklyn with Carson McCullers.

Was rejected for service in the U.S. Army for Health reasons.

Bought his first home in 1958.

Taught at the University of Michigan from 1941 to 1942.

He was a long time friend (from the 1920s until Auden's death in 1973) with Christopher Isherwood, who for a time, Auden considered him to be his mentor, traveling companion, occasional writing partner, and possibly sometime lover.

Attended school with Christopher Isherwood.

Although he rarely saw films and had little interest in the cinema, he was a great admirer of the film critic and screenwriter James Agee.