Thomas Hardy
- Born:
- June 2, 1840, Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, England
- Died:
- January 11, 1928, Dorchester, Dorset, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Poet
Early Life and Education
- Educated primarily at home and at a local school until the age of 16.
- Apprenticed to John Hicks, a local architect.
- Further architectural training in London.
Career and Major Achievements
- Early career as an architect.
- Began writing novels in the 1860s.
- Gained recognition for his Wessex novels, depicting rural England.
- Shifted focus primarily to poetry later in his career.
- Awarded the Order of Merit in 1910.
Notable Works
- Novels:
- Far from the Madding Crowd (1874)
- The Return of the Native (1878)
- The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886)
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891)
- Jude the Obscure (1895)
- Poetry Collections:
- Wessex Poems and Other Verses (1898)
- Poems of the Past and the Present (1901)
- The Dynasts (1904-1908) - an epic drama
Legacy and Impact
Thomas Hardy's novels and poetry explored themes of love, loss, social class, and the impact of modernity on rural life. He is considered a significant figure in English literature, influencing subsequent generations of writers. The examination of the personal life of Thomas Hardy often reveals the deep connection between his experiences and the themes present in his works.