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Edward ForsterEnglish writer.
Date of Birth: 01.01.1879
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Edward Forster
Edward Morgan Forster, an English writer, was born in 1879 in London to an Anglo-Irish and Welsh middle-class family. He was the only child of architect Edward Morgan Llewellyn Forster and his wife Alice Clara 'Lily' Whichelo. Although his parents named him Henry Morgan Forster, he was accidentally registered as Edward Morgan Forster during his baptism. As a result, he was always called Morgan in his family to avoid confusion with his father. Unfortunately, his father passed away from tuberculosis when he was only two years old. Thanks to the inheritance left to him by his cousin Marianne Thornton, Forster had the opportunity to study at Tonbridge School in Kent and later at King's College, Cambridge, where he remained from 1897 to 1901.
Early Travels and Literary Career
In the early 20th century, Forster had the chance to visit Greece and Italy, which greatly influenced his later novels. During World War I, Forster served in Egypt as a volunteer for the International Red Cross. His experiences in Egypt inspired him to write a guidebook about Alexandria in 1922 titled "Alexandria: A History and Guide" and a collection of sketches titled "Pharos and Pharillon" in the following year. Forster also made two trips to India, and in 1924, he published his novel "A Passage to India." The story revolves around a young Indian doctor who accompanies English tourists. One of the tourists accuses him of attempted rape, and he finds himself in a complex position unable to prove his innocence. Overall, the main theme of Forster's novels was the struggle for understanding between individuals from different social classes. He had a deep fascination with India and some critics argue that he somewhat idealized the country.
Later Life and Works
In the 1930s, Forster stepped away from writing and became heavily involved in social activism, gaining recognition as an anti-fascist. In 1946, he was elected a member of King's College council, a connection he maintained until his death. From that time until his passing, Forster resided in Cambridge. His last novel, "Maurice," was published posthumously. He worked on this novel from 1913 to 1914 and it tells the story of a homosexual love affair between two young men. In the manuscript's title page, dated 1914, Forster wrote, "Publishable, but is it worth it?" Many of Edward Morgan Forster's novels, which have been hailed as classics, have been adapted into films, including "Maurice," "A Passage to India," "Howards End," "A Room with a View," and "Where Angels Fear to Tread."
Edward Forster passed away on June 7, 1970, at the age of 91 in Coventry, Warwickshire. His creative legacy includes six novels, around 30 short stories, as well as several essays and other works, including plays.
