One of the group designated by the press the 'Bright Young People' in the 1920s, he shared a flat with Brian Howard at 39 Maddox Street in London, which was so run-down that fungus grew on the dilapidated staircase.
Gathorne-Hardy began a career in antiques, culture, history and art dealing.
Although he was respected in antiques, specialising in 18th-century literature, and worked as a director and rare book expert for the booksellers Elkin Mathews alongside his brother Robert,[3] he remained impecunious, largely living off his elder brother, John David Gathorne-Hardy, 4th Earl of Cranbrook.
Gathorne-Hardy's sister, Anne (1911–2006), was the wife of George Heywood Hill, owner of the Mayfair bookshop bearing his name.
[4] A nephew- son of his younger brother Anthony- was Jonathan Gathorne-Hardy.