George Meredith English writer, poet Date of Birth: 12.02.1828 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of George Meredith
2. Early Life and Literary Career
3. Editor and Literary Contributions
4. Later Life and Legacy

Biography of George Meredith

George Meredith was born in 1828 in Portsmouth, England. He came from a family of military sailors, but unfortunately, his mother passed away when he was young, and George was raised in a boarding school. At the age of 15, he was sent to Moravian School in Neuwied, Germany, where he spent two years and obtained a diploma as a cook. However, by that time, he already knew that his true passion was literature.

Early Life and Literary Career

Despite being sent to London to apprentice as a lawyer, George decided to pursue a career as a journalist. His time in Germany instilled in him many valuable qualities such as rationality, pride, and a strong sense of self-worth. In 1851, he released his first collection of poems, and by then, he was already married to Mary Ellen Nicolls, who was seven years older than him. Mary was witty, intellectual, and highly popular at the time. They had a son, but tragedy struck when Mary left George for the artist Henry Wallis and later passed away.

The shock of these events inspired George to write his novel "The Ordeal of Richard Feverel," which was published in 1859. In 1862, he released another work titled "Modern Love," which expressed his own experiences with a failed marriage. In 1864, George married Marie Vulliamy, and they settled in Surrey. The beautiful nature of the county inspired him to write poetry. Marie was a supportive wife and companion, always helping George and treating him with great respect. During this period, George wrote "The Adventures of Harry Richmond," which was published in 1871.

Editor and Literary Contributions

Since 1860, George worked as an editor for Chapman & Hall and collaborated with other publications as well. He was known for assisting young talented authors in getting their works published, including Thomas Hardy. In 1879, one of his most famous novels, "The Egoist," was published, praised for its psychological depth. The novel centered around Sir Willoughby Patterne, a young English aristocrat who appeared charming and flawless but repelled noble and sincere individuals due to his aristocratic arrogance, petty selfishness, and reliance on wealth and titles to achieve his goals.

George often addressed social issues in his writings, showcasing his optimistic belief in life as a process of growth and development. Many renowned authors like Algernon Charles Swinburne, the Rossetti brothers, and Robert Louis Stevenson were among his friends and contemporaries.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1885, George's novel "Diana of the Crossways" became a bestseller, bringing him the long-awaited fame and stable income he desired. However, his happiness was short-lived as his wife passed away in 1886, and George's own health began to decline. He faced further hardships with the death of his son Arthur. Nevertheless, George continued to write and work in the publishing industry. In 1892, he became the president of the Society of Authors, succeeding Lord Tennyson.

In his final years, George dedicated himself entirely to poetry and released his last collection, "A Reading of Life," in 1901. Throughout his career, he published twelve volumes of poetry and more than twenty books of prose, including novels, short stories, and essays.

George Meredith passed away on May 18, 1909, at his home in Box Hill, Surrey. He left behind a significant literary legacy, with his works exploring profound social issues and his unique perspective on life's journey.