Thomas Hardy English writer. His heart was buried in the grave of his first wife and his ashes were placed next to Charles DICKENS in Westminster Abbey. Date of Birth: 02.06.1840 Country: Great Britain

1. Life and Early Career
2. Literary Beginnings
3. Novelistic Success and Marriage
4. Rural Settings and Social Commentary
5. Critical Acclaim and Controversy
6. Later Years and Poetic Output
7. Recognition and Legacy

Life and Early Career

Thomas Hardy, an esteemed English author, was born on June 2, 1840, in Upper Bockhampton, Dorset. His initial education was received in Bockhampton and Dorchester. At age sixteen, he became an apprentice to a local architect and restorer. During his free time, Hardy pursued his passion for Latin and Greek classics, earning extra income as a violinist at dances and weddings.

Literary Beginnings

In 1862, Hardy relocated to London as an architectural assistant. While continuing his independent studies, he voraciously read and submitted his first poems to newspapers, although few of these have survived. Upon returning to Dorchester for financial reasons, Hardy turned to prose.

From 1868 to 1869, he sent the unpublished novel "The Poor Man and the Lady" to publishers, which was met with rejection. Following advice from J.M. Meredith, Hardy commenced work on "Desperate Remedies," a detective novel published in 1871.

Novelistic Success and Marriage

Hardy's idyllic "Under the Greenwood Tree" (1872) and the romantic "A Pair of Blue Eyes" (1873) established him as a notable author. While sketching for a church restoration in North Cornwall, Hardy fell deeply in love with Emma Lavinia Gifford, the pastor's sister-in-law. They married in 1874, shortly before the publication of "Far from the Madding Crowd."

Rural Settings and Social Commentary

Hardy abandoned architecture and found his literary voice in "The Return of the Native" (1878), depicting the harsh realities of rural life. His subsequent novels, "The Trumpet-Major" (1880), "A Laodicean" (1881), and "Two on a Tower" (1882), continued his explorations of rural England.

Critical Acclaim and Controversy

"Tess of the d'Urbervilles" (1891), Hardy's portrayal of a "pure woman," sparked intense controversy. The book's frank depiction of social injustice and sexual oppression earned the author considerable scandal and praise.

Later Years and Poetic Output

Hardy affirmed that poetry was his true calling, despite his success as a novelist. His "Wessex Poems" (1898) showcased his lyrical abilities, and he produced seven more diverse poetry collections over the following decades.

In 1923, Hardy published "The Famous Tragedy of the Queen of Cornwall," a play based on Arthurian legends. His epic drama "The Dynasts" (1904-1908) explored the Napoleonic Wars on a grand scale.

Recognition and Legacy

Hardy received the Order of Merit in 1910 and the Gold Medal of the Royal Society of Literature in 1928. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Cambridge and Oxford Universities.

His first wife passed away in 1912, and he remarried two years later. Thomas Hardy passed away in Dorchester on January 11, 1928, leaving behind a profound literary legacy that continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day. His heart was interred in his first wife's grave, while his ashes were placed alongside Charles Dickens in Westminster Abbey.