T S Eliot
Famous as Poet & Critic
Born on 26 September 1888
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Died on 04 January 1965
Nationality United Kingdom
Works & Achievements The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land, Murder in the Cathedral & The Hollow Men; Nobel Prize in Literature (1948)
Tomas Stearns Eliot, often shorten as T. S. Eliot was a poet, dramatist and literary critic and a Nobel Prize winner for his exceptional work in the world literature. Some of his best known works include the poems The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land, Murder in the Cathedral & The Hollow Men, Four Quarters and the plays Murder in the Cathedral and The Cocktail Party. His most famous essay remains Tradition and the Individual Talent. Best known for his poems, Eliot also achieved distinction in the field of literary criticism and has been ranked as the greatest literary critic of the 20th century. Born in America, Eliot moved to the United Kingdom in 1941, where he earned an international fame and appreciation for his literary works for the first time. He was granted the British citizenship in 1927, at the age of thirty nine.
Childhood & Education
Born on 26 September 1888, Eliot was the son of Henry Ware Eliot, a successful entrepreneur, president and treasurer of the Hydraulic-Press Brick Company. His mother Charlotte Champe Stearns was a poet and also a social worker. Of their six surviving children, Eliot was the youngest and had siblings much elder than him. In 1898, Eliot started his education from a preparatory school for Washington University 'Smith Academy' where he learned Latin, Greek, French and German until he left the school in 1905. After graduating, he went on to study at Harvard University where he received a B. A. from 1906 to 1909. In 1910, Eliot earned his Master's degree from the University and settled in Paris studying at the Sorbonne.
He rejoined the University in 1911 as a doctoral student in philosophy where he read avidly and keenly the writings of F.H. Bradley, Buddhism and Indic philosophy. Upon completing his course there, Eliot was sent to Merton College, Oxford University on a scholarship in 1914. While at Oxford, Eliot met his future wife Vivienne Haigh-Wood, a Cambridge lecturer. Eliot dropped the Merton College in the middle and married Vivienne on 26 June 1915 in a secret ceremony. He settled in London with his wife and supported himself with his small teaching jobs.
Career & Life in England
Eliot left Merton and took up a job of teaching at Highgate School and then Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe. In 1917, he was hired by the Lloyds Bank in London where he dealt with the foreign accounts. While working in the bank, he continued to write book reviews and lecture at various colleges. After working for sometime, Eliot left the bank in 1925 and joined the publishing firm Faber and Gwyer where he was made its director in coming years.
In 1927, Eliot converted to Anglicanism and became a British citizen. By this time, Eliot had grown tired of his unhappy marriage with Vivienne who therefore, when offered the Charles Eliot Norton professorship by Harvard University in 1932, took the opportunity and left her in England. He returned to London in 1933 and successfully sought an official separation from his wife. Vivienne passed away in 1947 after a long treatment in a mental hospital of London. Eliot married for a second time; to his previous secretary at Faber and Gywer (later Faber and Faber). He married Esme Valerie Fletcher, a girl much younger than him, on 10 January 1957 in a secret ceremony. The marriage was successful though short as Eliot would die after eight years of their marriage and his wife would edit The Letters of T.S. Eliot after his death.
Notable Works
Eliot is mainly known for his poems such as The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land, The Hollow Men, Ash Wednesday and Four Quarters. The poem The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock depicts a man lamenting his physical inability and failure in attaining the spiritual and intellectual growth in life. The poem initially was not very successful but it received praise for its techniques of expression and citation. The Waste Land was published in 1922, and was composed during his life with his first wife. According to Eliot, the plot of the poem was inspired by his personal experience of his marriage and was a result of his mental status at that time. The poem deals with the individual awareness and spiritual anguish against the decline of civilization. His next legendry poem The Hollow Men came in 1925 and was marked for its connection with the post war Europe and religious issues.
Ash Wednesday, his first poem after conversion appeared in 1930. The poem expounds the difficulty one finds in pursuit of the knowledge of God, when the person had been always doubtful in the past. The poem somehow gives a glimpse of the agonistic and spiritual dilemma of the poet was ranked among his best works. However his masterpiece and the magnum opus of spiritual poems is believed to be the poem Four Quarters, which made him the winner of Nobel Prize in literature in 1948. The poem is based upon philosophy of life and the knowledge of mysticism. Eliot also produced some fine plays among which The Rocks and Murder in the Cathedral are considered his best works in this genre.
Eliot as Critic
Eliot is also remembered for his contribution to the field of literary criticism which he attributed to his habit of avid reading and working on artistic values. Though he never himself accepted the honor, he is ranked as the most famous and influential literary critic of the 20th century. His best known critical essay Tradition and the individual talent emphasizes the need of understanding of art in a way that is related to the previous piece of art. According to some, Eliot's talent as a literary critic can be found in his poems such as The Waste Land and Four Quarters. In 1939, Eliot wrote a book of light verse, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. Eliot's prodigious output of critical works include The Sacred Wood (1920); For Lancelot Andrewes (1928); Selected Essays, 1917–32 (1932); The Use of Poetry and the Use of Criticism (1933); After Strange Gods (1934); Elizabethan Essays (1934); Essays Ancient and Modern (1936); and Notes towards a Definition of Culture (1948).
Death
A chronic smoker, Eliot led a life troubled by health problems such as bronchitis and tachycardia which had lowered his immunity and stamina. He contracted emphysema in London and died on 4 January 1965 and was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium. In accordance with his wishes, his ashes were taken to St. Michael's Church in East Coker, his ancestral village whence they immigrated to America.
Timeline:
1888- Eliot was born on 26 September.
1898- Eliot was admitted into a preparatory school for Washington University 'Smith Academy'.
1910- Eliot earned his Master's degree from the Harvard University.
1911- He returned to the University as a doctoral student in philosophy.
1914- Eliot was sent to Merton College, Oxford University on a scholarship.
1915- Eliot married his first wife married Vivienne on 26 June.
1917- He was hired by the Lloyds Bank in London.
1922- The Waste Land was published.
1925- He left the bank to join a firm Faber and Gwyer.
1925- The Hollow Men came.
1927- Eliot converted to Anglicanism and became a British citizen.
1930- Ash Wednesday, his first poem after conversion appeared in 1930.
1932- He was offered the Charles Eliot Norton professorship by Harvard University.
1933- Eliot separated from his wife Vivienne.
1939- Eliot wrote a book of light verse, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats.
1947- Vivienne passed away.
1948- Eliot was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
1957- He married Esme Valerie Fletcheron 10 January.
1965- Eliot died on 4 January in London.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Famous as Author & Poet
Born on 22 May 1859
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland
Died on 07 July 1930
Nationality United Kingdom
Works & Achievements Stories of Sherlock Holmes & The Lost World
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a Scottish doctor, author and poet, and is most notably remembered for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes. Regarded as the leading light of crime and science fictions, the author is best known for the world popular character Sherlock Holmes and the adventures of Professor Challenger. Sir Arthur Doyle was a prolific writer and produced a prodigious output in a variety of genres ranging from science fictions to historical novels to plays and romances and non-fiction stories. The world famous character of detective Sherlock Holmes first appeared in his novel A Study in Scarlet in 1887, and from then on Sir Arthur began writing stories starring the character which resulted in about fifty five more Sherlock Holmes stories and four novels starring him. He wrote many fiction and non fiction works including The Stark Munro Letters, The Exploits of Brigadier Gerad, The Hound of the Baskervilles and his masterpiece The Lost World. Many of his works are still in print and have been published in a number of foreign languages.
Childhood & Education
Born on 22 May 1859, Arthur Conan Doyle was the son of an English father Charles Altamont Doyle and an Irish mother Nee Mary Foley. His father Charles was a fervent alcoholic and would lead a problematic life amid addiction and depression and eventually died in 1893. Supported by his uncle, Arthur was sent to the Roman Catholic Jesuit preparatory school Hodder Place, Stonyhurst in 1868 when he was eight. After this, he attended Stonyhurst College from where he received his graduation degree in 1875. Between 1876 and 1881, Arthur studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and started writing short stories. He received his doctorate with a specialization in tabes dorsalis in 1885.
Early Life & Career
In 1882, Arthur Doyle ventured in to medical practice with a friend, but soon regretted his decision and parted away to set up his own practice. He managed to set up a medical practice in Elm Grove, Southsea. The practice initially did not earn him much and he found plenty of time to write in his free time. A Study in Scarlet, his first important work featuring Sherlock Holmes appeared in 1887. From then on, Sherlock Holmes became an indispensable part of his short stories and most of them were published in the English Strand Magazine. While living in Southsea, Arthur Doyle developed a passion for football and devoted a considerable time to the Portsmouth Association Football Club, playing as a goalkeeper. He also performed well in cricket for an amateur and was once elected captain of Crowborough Beacon Golf Club, East Sussex.
Marriages & Children
Arthur Conan Doyle married his first wife Louisa Hawkins in 1885, who bore him two children: Mary Louise (28 January 1889 – 12 June 1976) and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley, known as Kingsley (15 November 1892 – 28 October 1918). On 4 July 1906, Louisa Hawkins died of Tuberculosis following a long period of illness. One year later in 1907, Arthur married Jean Elizabeth Leckie and fathered three children; Denis Percy Stewart (17 March 1909 – 9 March 1955), Adrian Malcolm (1910–1970) and Jean Lena Annette (1912–1997). Jean died on 27 June 1940.
Later Years & Work
In 1890, Arthur settled in London and began practicing as an ophthalmologist. The practice was not successful and again he turned to writing more and more. Arthur, as a writer, was always inclined towards writing historical novels and believed that the success of Sherlock Holmes came as a hurdle in this. He decided to kill the character of Sherlock Holmes and did so in the story The Final Problem in 1893. A public hullabaloo ensued and he had to bring the character back in the story The Adventures of the Empty House.
In his later career, Arthur moved on to a broader line of work and began writing about the political sphere. One of such was The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct, a pamphlet which explained the involvement of UK in the Boer war. He next wrote The Great Boer War in 1900. The success of the pamphlet led him to being elected for Knighthood in 1902 and he was made Deputy-Lieutenant of Surrey. The Crime of the Congo, another pamphlet was published in 1909, after which he wrote what is believed to be one of his masterpieces The Lost World in 1912.
Arthur on Spiritualism
In the early 20th century, Arthur suffered from many personal losses. His wife Louisa died of Tuberculosis and tragedy once again hit the family when his son Kingsley, brother Innes, and other close relative succumbed to death one after another. These incidents pushed him into a state of depression and turned him into a spiritualist. Arthur, as a child, was an agonist and had strayed from religious nature for many years. However, by this time he had become increasingly interested and obsessed with spiritualism to the extent that he wrote a Professor Challenger novel called The Land of Mist. His next book The Coming of the Fairies, which he wrote in 1921, supported his views on spiritualism and "life beyond life". In his book The History of Spiritualism, Arthur endorsed the spirit materialization and psychic phenomena. By this time he had come to believe that the living can communicate with the dead. The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, one of his last books, was published in 1927.
Death
Arthur Conan Doyle died of heart attack in the family garden in "Windlesham", Crowborough on 7 July 1930 and was buried in the Church Yard at Minstead in the New Forest, Hampshire in England. His wife Jean was buried at his side after her death 1940.
Timeline:
1859- Arthur Conan Doyle wasborn on 22 May.
1893- His father Charles Doyle died.
1868- Arthur was sent to the Roman Catholic Jesuit preparatory school Hodder Place, Stonyhurst.
1875- He received his graduation degree from Stonyhurst College.
1882- Arthur Doyle ventured in to medical practice with a friend.
1885- He received his doctorate with a specialization in tabes dorsalis.
1885- Arthur Conan Doyle married his first wife Louisa Hawkins.
1887- A Study in Scarlet, his first important work featuring Sherlock Holmes appeared.
1890- Arthur settled in London and began practicing as an ophthalmologist.
1893- He killed the character of Sherlock Holmes in the story The Final Problem.
1900- He next wrote The Great Boer War in 1900.
1902- He was elected for Knighthood in 1902 and was made Deputy-Lieutenant of Surrey.
1906- Louisa Hawkins died of Tuberculosis on 4 July.
1907- Arthur married Jean Elizabeth Leckie.
1909- The Crime of the Congo, another pamphlet was published.
1912- He wrote his masterpiece The Lost World.
1927- The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, one of his last books, was published in 1927.
1930- Arthur Conan Doyle died of heart attack on 7 July.
1940- His second wife Jean died on 27 June.
Famous as Author & Poet
Born on 22 May 1859
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland
Died on 07 July 1930
Nationality United Kingdom
Works & Achievements Stories of Sherlock Holmes & The Lost World
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was a Scottish doctor, author and poet, and is most notably remembered for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes. Regarded as the leading light of crime and science fictions, the author is best known for the world popular character Sherlock Holmes and the adventures of Professor Challenger. Sir Arthur Doyle was a prolific writer and produced a prodigious output in a variety of genres ranging from science fictions to historical novels to plays and romances and non-fiction stories. The world famous character of detective Sherlock Holmes first appeared in his novel A Study in Scarlet in 1887, and from then on Sir Arthur began writing stories starring the character which resulted in about fifty five more Sherlock Holmes stories and four novels starring him. He wrote many fiction and non fiction works including The Stark Munro Letters, The Exploits of Brigadier Gerad, The Hound of the Baskervilles and his masterpiece The Lost World. Many of his works are still in print and have been published in a number of foreign languages.
Childhood & Education
Born on 22 May 1859, Arthur Conan Doyle was the son of an English father Charles Altamont Doyle and an Irish mother Nee Mary Foley. His father Charles was a fervent alcoholic and would lead a problematic life amid addiction and depression and eventually died in 1893. Supported by his uncle, Arthur was sent to the Roman Catholic Jesuit preparatory school Hodder Place, Stonyhurst in 1868 when he was eight. After this, he attended Stonyhurst College from where he received his graduation degree in 1875. Between 1876 and 1881, Arthur studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and started writing short stories. He received his doctorate with a specialization in tabes dorsalis in 1885.
Early Life & Career
In 1882, Arthur Doyle ventured in to medical practice with a friend, but soon regretted his decision and parted away to set up his own practice. He managed to set up a medical practice in Elm Grove, Southsea. The practice initially did not earn him much and he found plenty of time to write in his free time. A Study in Scarlet, his first important work featuring Sherlock Holmes appeared in 1887. From then on, Sherlock Holmes became an indispensable part of his short stories and most of them were published in the English Strand Magazine. While living in Southsea, Arthur Doyle developed a passion for football and devoted a considerable time to the Portsmouth Association Football Club, playing as a goalkeeper. He also performed well in cricket for an amateur and was once elected captain of Crowborough Beacon Golf Club, East Sussex.
Marriages & Children
Arthur Conan Doyle married his first wife Louisa Hawkins in 1885, who bore him two children: Mary Louise (28 January 1889 – 12 June 1976) and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley, known as Kingsley (15 November 1892 – 28 October 1918). On 4 July 1906, Louisa Hawkins died of Tuberculosis following a long period of illness. One year later in 1907, Arthur married Jean Elizabeth Leckie and fathered three children; Denis Percy Stewart (17 March 1909 – 9 March 1955), Adrian Malcolm (1910–1970) and Jean Lena Annette (1912–1997). Jean died on 27 June 1940.
Later Years & Work
In 1890, Arthur settled in London and began practicing as an ophthalmologist. The practice was not successful and again he turned to writing more and more. Arthur, as a writer, was always inclined towards writing historical novels and believed that the success of Sherlock Holmes came as a hurdle in this. He decided to kill the character of Sherlock Holmes and did so in the story The Final Problem in 1893. A public hullabaloo ensued and he had to bring the character back in the story The Adventures of the Empty House.
In his later career, Arthur moved on to a broader line of work and began writing about the political sphere. One of such was The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct, a pamphlet which explained the involvement of UK in the Boer war. He next wrote The Great Boer War in 1900. The success of the pamphlet led him to being elected for Knighthood in 1902 and he was made Deputy-Lieutenant of Surrey. The Crime of the Congo, another pamphlet was published in 1909, after which he wrote what is believed to be one of his masterpieces The Lost World in 1912.
Arthur on Spiritualism
In the early 20th century, Arthur suffered from many personal losses. His wife Louisa died of Tuberculosis and tragedy once again hit the family when his son Kingsley, brother Innes, and other close relative succumbed to death one after another. These incidents pushed him into a state of depression and turned him into a spiritualist. Arthur, as a child, was an agonist and had strayed from religious nature for many years. However, by this time he had become increasingly interested and obsessed with spiritualism to the extent that he wrote a Professor Challenger novel called The Land of Mist. His next book The Coming of the Fairies, which he wrote in 1921, supported his views on spiritualism and "life beyond life". In his book The History of Spiritualism, Arthur endorsed the spirit materialization and psychic phenomena. By this time he had come to believe that the living can communicate with the dead. The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, one of his last books, was published in 1927.
Death
Arthur Conan Doyle died of heart attack in the family garden in "Windlesham", Crowborough on 7 July 1930 and was buried in the Church Yard at Minstead in the New Forest, Hampshire in England. His wife Jean was buried at his side after her death 1940.
Timeline:
1859- Arthur Conan Doyle wasborn on 22 May.
1893- His father Charles Doyle died.
1868- Arthur was sent to the Roman Catholic Jesuit preparatory school Hodder Place, Stonyhurst.
1875- He received his graduation degree from Stonyhurst College.
1882- Arthur Doyle ventured in to medical practice with a friend.
1885- He received his doctorate with a specialization in tabes dorsalis.
1885- Arthur Conan Doyle married his first wife Louisa Hawkins.
1887- A Study in Scarlet, his first important work featuring Sherlock Holmes appeared.
1890- Arthur settled in London and began practicing as an ophthalmologist.
1893- He killed the character of Sherlock Holmes in the story The Final Problem.
1900- He next wrote The Great Boer War in 1900.
1902- He was elected for Knighthood in 1902 and was made Deputy-Lieutenant of Surrey.
1906- Louisa Hawkins died of Tuberculosis on 4 July.
1907- Arthur married Jean Elizabeth Leckie.
1909- The Crime of the Congo, another pamphlet was published.
1912- He wrote his masterpiece The Lost World.
1927- The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, one of his last books, was published in 1927.
1930- Arthur Conan Doyle died of heart attack on 7 July.
1940- His second wife Jean died on 27 June.
Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu
Famous as Poet and Freedom Fighter
Born on 13 February 1879
Born in Hyderabad, India
Died on 02 March 1949
Nationality India
Works & Achievements First Indian woman president of Indian National Congress and first woman to be appointed Governor of any state in India
Sarojini Naidu, also known as Sarojini Chattopadhyaya, was a famous Indian poet and a major freedom fighter who went on becoming the first Indian woman to be appointed the president of the Indian National Congress and the Governor of any state in India. Most of all, she was a noted child prodigy and a master of the children's literature. Naidu was given a sobriquet Bharat Kokila (The Nightingale of India) on account of her beautiful poems and songs. Some of her best books that established her as a potent writer include The Golden Threshold, The Gift of India, and The Broken Wing. An active participant of the Indian Independence movement, Naidu joined the national movement taking Gandhi's call and joined him in the popular Salt March to Dandi. With the Indian Independence in 1947, Sarojini Naidu was made the Governor of the Uttar Pradesh in the wake of her contribution to the movement.
Childhood & Family
Sarojini Naidu was born on 13 February 1879 in Hyderabad, India to the scientist, philosopher and a politieducator Aghornath Chattopadhyaya and Barada Sundari Devi. She was the eldest daughter of her parents. A political activist, her father was a co founder of the Nizam College and the first member of the India National Congress in Hyderabad. Chattopadhyaya was removed from his position as a penalty for his active participation in Indian Independence movement.
Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, Sarojini's brother, was a political activist who played a key role in establishing the Berlin Committee and was influenced by Communism. He was allegedly killed by the Russian troops in 1937. Sarojini's second brother Harindranath Chattopadhyaya was a noted poet and playwright.
Education, Marriage & Children
A brilliant student, Sarojini won appreciation and fame by being selected in Madras University at just 12. In 1895, she went on to study at King's College in London and later at Girton College, Cambridge University. She developed a liking and passion for reading and writing poems whilst still in college where she became proficient in many languages including Urdu, English, Persian, Telugu and Bengali.
Whilst still in college, Sarojini met Dr. Muthyala Govindarajulu Naidu and both grew closer by the end of her college. Upon finishing her studied at age 19, she married him in 1898 during a period when inter-caste were marriages were rare and considered a crime in the Indian society. Nonetheless, the successful marriage of the couple prevented people from intervening into their personal life and taking it onto another stage.
The couple had four children; Jayasurya, Padmaja, Randheer and Leelamani. Her daughter Padmaja followed in to her footprints and became the Governor of West Bengal. In 1961, she published a collection of poems entitled The Feather of The Dawn.
Indian Independence Movement
Sarojini Naidu had many credits to her, including a notable contribution to the Indian Independence Movement. She joined the movement at the rear of Bengal partition in 1905 and since then, she stuck to her commitment to the cause. While working for the Indian National Congress, she was introduced to many eminent personalities such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi with whom she shared a special bond and a very good rapport.
During 1915-1918, she traveled across the India lecturing on social welfare, women empowerment, emancipation and nationalism. Inspired by Jawaharlal Nehru, she embarked on providing help and support for the indigo workers in Champaran who were being subjected to violence and oppression. In 1925, Naidu was appointed the President of the National Congress thus making her the first Indian women to hold the post.
With the introduction of the Rowlett Act in 1919, Sarojini joined the Non-Cooperation Movement organized and led by Mahatma Gandhi. In the same year, she was appointed the Home Rule League's ambassador to England. In 1924, she became a delegate to the East African Indian Congress.
Sarojini Naidu as poet
The Nightingale of India, Sarojini Naidu was a prolific writer and poet. The first volume of her poetries The Golden Threshold was published in 1905, after which two more collections The Bird of Time and The Broken Wing arrived in 1912 and 1917 respectively. Meanwhile in 1916, she authored and published a biography of Muhammad Ali Jinnah entitled as The Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity. Other acclaimed poems that came following are The Wizard Mask and A Treasury of Poems. Other selected works written by her include The Magic Tree and The Gift of India. She was given the name Bharat Kokila on account of the beautiful and rhythmic words of her poems that could be sung as well.
Later Life & Death
In her last years, Sarojini actively participated in the freedom movement and was a part of the Round Table summit held in 1931. In 1942, she was arrested along with Mahatma Gandhi for her involvement in the Quit India movement and was jailed for almost 2 years. After her release from the jail, she presided over the Steering Committee at the Asian Relations Conference. With the independence of India in 1947, Sarojini Naidu was made the Governor of the Uttar Pradesh in the wake of her contribution to the movement. She was the first woman to become the governor of a state. She died of a heart attack while working in her office on 2 March 1949.
Timeline:
1879- Sarojini Naidu was born on 13 February.
1895- She went on to study at King's College in London.
1898- Sarojini married Dr. Muthyala Govindarajulu.
1905- The first volume of her poetries The Golden Threshold was published.
1916- She published a biography of Muhammad Ali Jinnah entitled as The Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity.
1919- Rowlett Act was introduced.
1924- She became a delegate to the East African Indian Congress.
1925- Naidu was appointed the President of the National Congress.
1942- she was arrested along with Mahatma Gandhi for her involvement in the Quit India movement.
1947- Sarojini Naidu was made the Governor of the Uttar Pradesh.
1949-She died of a heart attack on 2 March.
1961- Her daughter Padma published a collection of poems entitled The Feather of The Dawn.
Famous as Poet and Freedom Fighter
Born on 13 February 1879
Born in Hyderabad, India
Died on 02 March 1949
Nationality India
Works & Achievements First Indian woman president of Indian National Congress and first woman to be appointed Governor of any state in India
Sarojini Naidu, also known as Sarojini Chattopadhyaya, was a famous Indian poet and a major freedom fighter who went on becoming the first Indian woman to be appointed the president of the Indian National Congress and the Governor of any state in India. Most of all, she was a noted child prodigy and a master of the children's literature. Naidu was given a sobriquet Bharat Kokila (The Nightingale of India) on account of her beautiful poems and songs. Some of her best books that established her as a potent writer include The Golden Threshold, The Gift of India, and The Broken Wing. An active participant of the Indian Independence movement, Naidu joined the national movement taking Gandhi's call and joined him in the popular Salt March to Dandi. With the Indian Independence in 1947, Sarojini Naidu was made the Governor of the Uttar Pradesh in the wake of her contribution to the movement.
Childhood & Family
Sarojini Naidu was born on 13 February 1879 in Hyderabad, India to the scientist, philosopher and a politieducator Aghornath Chattopadhyaya and Barada Sundari Devi. She was the eldest daughter of her parents. A political activist, her father was a co founder of the Nizam College and the first member of the India National Congress in Hyderabad. Chattopadhyaya was removed from his position as a penalty for his active participation in Indian Independence movement.
Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, Sarojini's brother, was a political activist who played a key role in establishing the Berlin Committee and was influenced by Communism. He was allegedly killed by the Russian troops in 1937. Sarojini's second brother Harindranath Chattopadhyaya was a noted poet and playwright.
Education, Marriage & Children
A brilliant student, Sarojini won appreciation and fame by being selected in Madras University at just 12. In 1895, she went on to study at King's College in London and later at Girton College, Cambridge University. She developed a liking and passion for reading and writing poems whilst still in college where she became proficient in many languages including Urdu, English, Persian, Telugu and Bengali.
Whilst still in college, Sarojini met Dr. Muthyala Govindarajulu Naidu and both grew closer by the end of her college. Upon finishing her studied at age 19, she married him in 1898 during a period when inter-caste were marriages were rare and considered a crime in the Indian society. Nonetheless, the successful marriage of the couple prevented people from intervening into their personal life and taking it onto another stage.
The couple had four children; Jayasurya, Padmaja, Randheer and Leelamani. Her daughter Padmaja followed in to her footprints and became the Governor of West Bengal. In 1961, she published a collection of poems entitled The Feather of The Dawn.
Indian Independence Movement
Sarojini Naidu had many credits to her, including a notable contribution to the Indian Independence Movement. She joined the movement at the rear of Bengal partition in 1905 and since then, she stuck to her commitment to the cause. While working for the Indian National Congress, she was introduced to many eminent personalities such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi with whom she shared a special bond and a very good rapport.
During 1915-1918, she traveled across the India lecturing on social welfare, women empowerment, emancipation and nationalism. Inspired by Jawaharlal Nehru, she embarked on providing help and support for the indigo workers in Champaran who were being subjected to violence and oppression. In 1925, Naidu was appointed the President of the National Congress thus making her the first Indian women to hold the post.
With the introduction of the Rowlett Act in 1919, Sarojini joined the Non-Cooperation Movement organized and led by Mahatma Gandhi. In the same year, she was appointed the Home Rule League's ambassador to England. In 1924, she became a delegate to the East African Indian Congress.
Sarojini Naidu as poet
The Nightingale of India, Sarojini Naidu was a prolific writer and poet. The first volume of her poetries The Golden Threshold was published in 1905, after which two more collections The Bird of Time and The Broken Wing arrived in 1912 and 1917 respectively. Meanwhile in 1916, she authored and published a biography of Muhammad Ali Jinnah entitled as The Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity. Other acclaimed poems that came following are The Wizard Mask and A Treasury of Poems. Other selected works written by her include The Magic Tree and The Gift of India. She was given the name Bharat Kokila on account of the beautiful and rhythmic words of her poems that could be sung as well.
Later Life & Death
In her last years, Sarojini actively participated in the freedom movement and was a part of the Round Table summit held in 1931. In 1942, she was arrested along with Mahatma Gandhi for her involvement in the Quit India movement and was jailed for almost 2 years. After her release from the jail, she presided over the Steering Committee at the Asian Relations Conference. With the independence of India in 1947, Sarojini Naidu was made the Governor of the Uttar Pradesh in the wake of her contribution to the movement. She was the first woman to become the governor of a state. She died of a heart attack while working in her office on 2 March 1949.
Timeline:
1879- Sarojini Naidu was born on 13 February.
1895- She went on to study at King's College in London.
1898- Sarojini married Dr. Muthyala Govindarajulu.
1905- The first volume of her poetries The Golden Threshold was published.
1916- She published a biography of Muhammad Ali Jinnah entitled as The Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity.
1919- Rowlett Act was introduced.
1924- She became a delegate to the East African Indian Congress.
1925- Naidu was appointed the President of the National Congress.
1942- she was arrested along with Mahatma Gandhi for her involvement in the Quit India movement.
1947- Sarojini Naidu was made the Governor of the Uttar Pradesh.
1949-She died of a heart attack on 2 March.
1961- Her daughter Padma published a collection of poems entitled The Feather of The Dawn.
Samuel Coleridge
Samuel Coleridge
Famous as Poet and Philosopher
Born on 21 October 1772
Born in Devon, England
Died on 25 July 1834
Nationality United Kingdom
Works & Achievements Lyrical Ballads, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was an English poet, critic and philosopher who along with William Wordsworth laid the foundation for English Romantic Movement. Lyrical Ballads, his one of the most acclaimed works in this genre, was a joint effort of the great poet William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge with whom he had a close friendship. Other notable creations that became his masterpieces are The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan in addition to his well known prose works Biographia Literaria. A few conversational poems written by Samuel Coleridge are This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison, Frost at Midnight and The Nightingale. He was also one of the Lake Poets. In 1809, Coleridge successfully set up and ran a weekly journal entitled The Friend which gained him praise and respect as a publisher. Coleridge apparently became badly addicted to drugs and eventually died of a lung disorder on 25 July 1834.
Childhood & Early Life
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born on 21 October 1772 in Devon, England and was the youngest of ten children born to John Coleridge who was a venerated vicar and an Anglican priest. As a child, Samuel was often targeted and humiliated by his elder brother Frank, and after his father's death in 1781, he was sent to Christ Hospital School where he spent a lonely and sometimes turbulent time. In a tarnished place and away from his family, Samuel developed a liking for seclusion and took refuge in his school library.
The isolation he was subjected to damaged him emotionally from which he never recovered even as an adult. Throughout his school life, he was never invited home by his mother, who apparently was partial and aloof to him. In 1791, Coleridge enrolled in to Jesus College, Cambridge and studied there till 1794 except for a brief period when he went to join Army in 1793. However, he soon returned and was readmitted in the college. In the same year 1794, he was awarded the Browne Gold Medal for a poetry he wrote on 'Slave Trade'.
Early Life & Marriage
Whilst still at the University, Samuel became influenced with the ideas of the poet Robert Southey and the two embarked on founding an organization 'pantisocracy' though the plan never materialized. In 1795, he married a girl Sara Flicker whom he never loved and eventually divorced her. In the same year he came in contact with the world famous poet William Wordsworth and the two became friends at first instance. William Wordsworth would become a great influence and inspiration for his literary work in future.
During the year 1797-1798, Coleridge lived in Nether Stowey, Somerset and was often visited by William Wordsworth who was captivated by the beautiful surroundings of the place. Whilst there, Coleridge produced two masterpieces that would meet great success- The Rime of The Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan. A few conversational poems written during this period are This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison, Frost at Midnight and The Nightingale.
In 1798, Coleridge and Wordsworth published the much praised Lyrical Ballads- a collection of English romantic poetries. It was the success of the volume that laid the foundation for the English Romantic Movement and catapulted them into the front row of world renowned poets in the English literature. In 1799, they both met Thomas Hutchinson whose daughter Sara would become his inspiration to write a ballad-poem called Love. Sara's sister Mary Hutchinson would marry Wordsworth in 1802.
Drugs Addiction
Around the year 1796, Samuel first started taking drugs like Laudanum as treatment for his toothache and other ailment which turned into addiction after he became increasingly dependent on it. It is purportedly said that he used drugs as a remedy for his reducing stamina and a substitute to his youth energy. However, there are no substantial proofs for these speculations. Whatever the reason was, his addiction to opium started eating his life and he ended up alien ting from his wife in 1808 or even the worse, falling out with his long time friend William Wordsworth in 1810.
Later Life & Death
In 1809, Coleridge embarked upon the publication of a weekly journal titled The Friend. The journal made a slow progress initially and soon it was touching the sky of success. It ranked among 'few original and thoughtful journals' of the day with Coleridge's assorted knowledge of law, morals, politics and literary criticism.
Towards the last years of his life, Coleridge's drugs addiction became worsen affecting his morality and work. Now divorced and estranged from the family, he took shelter in the residence of his doctor, where he was visited by several writers. The constant use of opium began to take toll on his life that finally ended on 25 July 1834, when he died of a lung disorder. Sibylline Leaves (1820), Aids to Reflection (1823), and Church and State (1826) were written during his last days in Highgate.
Timeline:
1772- Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born on 21 October 1772.
1781- He was sent to Christ Hospital School.
1791- Coleridge enrolled in to Jesus College.
1793- He went to join Army in 1793.
1794- He was awarded the Browne Gold Medal.
1795- Coleridge married a girl Sara Flicker.
1798- Coleridge and Wordsworth, published the much praised Lyrical Ballads.
1809- Coleridge embarked upon the publication of a weekly journal titled The Friend.
1834- Coleridge died on 25 July 1834.
Famous as Poet and Philosopher
Born on 21 October 1772
Born in Devon, England
Died on 25 July 1834
Nationality United Kingdom
Works & Achievements Lyrical Ballads, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was an English poet, critic and philosopher who along with William Wordsworth laid the foundation for English Romantic Movement. Lyrical Ballads, his one of the most acclaimed works in this genre, was a joint effort of the great poet William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge with whom he had a close friendship. Other notable creations that became his masterpieces are The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan in addition to his well known prose works Biographia Literaria. A few conversational poems written by Samuel Coleridge are This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison, Frost at Midnight and The Nightingale. He was also one of the Lake Poets. In 1809, Coleridge successfully set up and ran a weekly journal entitled The Friend which gained him praise and respect as a publisher. Coleridge apparently became badly addicted to drugs and eventually died of a lung disorder on 25 July 1834.
Childhood & Early Life
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born on 21 October 1772 in Devon, England and was the youngest of ten children born to John Coleridge who was a venerated vicar and an Anglican priest. As a child, Samuel was often targeted and humiliated by his elder brother Frank, and after his father's death in 1781, he was sent to Christ Hospital School where he spent a lonely and sometimes turbulent time. In a tarnished place and away from his family, Samuel developed a liking for seclusion and took refuge in his school library.
The isolation he was subjected to damaged him emotionally from which he never recovered even as an adult. Throughout his school life, he was never invited home by his mother, who apparently was partial and aloof to him. In 1791, Coleridge enrolled in to Jesus College, Cambridge and studied there till 1794 except for a brief period when he went to join Army in 1793. However, he soon returned and was readmitted in the college. In the same year 1794, he was awarded the Browne Gold Medal for a poetry he wrote on 'Slave Trade'.
Early Life & Marriage
Whilst still at the University, Samuel became influenced with the ideas of the poet Robert Southey and the two embarked on founding an organization 'pantisocracy' though the plan never materialized. In 1795, he married a girl Sara Flicker whom he never loved and eventually divorced her. In the same year he came in contact with the world famous poet William Wordsworth and the two became friends at first instance. William Wordsworth would become a great influence and inspiration for his literary work in future.
During the year 1797-1798, Coleridge lived in Nether Stowey, Somerset and was often visited by William Wordsworth who was captivated by the beautiful surroundings of the place. Whilst there, Coleridge produced two masterpieces that would meet great success- The Rime of The Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan. A few conversational poems written during this period are This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison, Frost at Midnight and The Nightingale.
In 1798, Coleridge and Wordsworth published the much praised Lyrical Ballads- a collection of English romantic poetries. It was the success of the volume that laid the foundation for the English Romantic Movement and catapulted them into the front row of world renowned poets in the English literature. In 1799, they both met Thomas Hutchinson whose daughter Sara would become his inspiration to write a ballad-poem called Love. Sara's sister Mary Hutchinson would marry Wordsworth in 1802.
Drugs Addiction
Around the year 1796, Samuel first started taking drugs like Laudanum as treatment for his toothache and other ailment which turned into addiction after he became increasingly dependent on it. It is purportedly said that he used drugs as a remedy for his reducing stamina and a substitute to his youth energy. However, there are no substantial proofs for these speculations. Whatever the reason was, his addiction to opium started eating his life and he ended up alien ting from his wife in 1808 or even the worse, falling out with his long time friend William Wordsworth in 1810.
Later Life & Death
In 1809, Coleridge embarked upon the publication of a weekly journal titled The Friend. The journal made a slow progress initially and soon it was touching the sky of success. It ranked among 'few original and thoughtful journals' of the day with Coleridge's assorted knowledge of law, morals, politics and literary criticism.
Towards the last years of his life, Coleridge's drugs addiction became worsen affecting his morality and work. Now divorced and estranged from the family, he took shelter in the residence of his doctor, where he was visited by several writers. The constant use of opium began to take toll on his life that finally ended on 25 July 1834, when he died of a lung disorder. Sibylline Leaves (1820), Aids to Reflection (1823), and Church and State (1826) were written during his last days in Highgate.
Timeline:
1772- Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born on 21 October 1772.
1781- He was sent to Christ Hospital School.
1791- Coleridge enrolled in to Jesus College.
1793- He went to join Army in 1793.
1794- He was awarded the Browne Gold Medal.
1795- Coleridge married a girl Sara Flicker.
1798- Coleridge and Wordsworth, published the much praised Lyrical Ballads.
1809- Coleridge embarked upon the publication of a weekly journal titled The Friend.
1834- Coleridge died on 25 July 1834.
Rumi
Rumi
Famous as Great Poet
Born on 30 September 1207
Born in Balkh (in present-day Afghanistan)
Nationality Iran (islamic Republic Of)
Works & Achievements "Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi" (collection of ghazals) and "Mathnawi" (compilation of six volumes of poetry) are the popular works of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi.
Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi was a 13th century Persian poet, an Islamic dervish and a Sufi mystic. He is regarded as one of the greatest spiritual masters and poetical intellects. Born in 1207 AD, he belonged to a family of learned theologians. He made use of everyday life's circumstances to describe the spiritual world. Rumi's poems have acquired immense popularity, especially among the Persian speakers of Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan. Numerous poems written by the great poet have been translated to different languages.
Childhood
Jalaluddin Rumi was born on September 30, 1207, in Balkh (in present-day Afghanistan). His father, Bahaduddin Walad, was a theologian, jurist and a mystic, while his mother was Mumina Khatun. When Mongols invaded Central Asia, between 1215 and 1220, Rumi left Balkh with his family and a group of disciples. The migrating caravan traveled extensively in Muslim lands, including Baghdad, Damascus, Malatya, Erzincan, Sivas, Kayseri and Nigde. After performing pilgrimage in Mecca, they eventually settled in Konya, located in the present-day western Turkey. At that time, Rumi’s father was an Islamic theologian, a teacher and a preacher.
Career
Rumi was a disciple of Sayyed Burhan ud-Din Muhaqqiq Termazi, one of his father’s students. Under the guidance of Sayyed Termazi, he practiced Sufism and acquired a lot of knowledge about spiritual matters and secrets of the spirit world. After the demise of Bahaduddin, in 1231 AD, Rumi inherited his father’s position and became a prominent religious teacher. He preached in the mosques of Konya. By the time Rumi reached the age of 24, he had proven himself as a well-informed scholar in the field of religious science.
Turning Point Of Rumi’s Life
Rumi was already a teacher and a theologian, when in 1244 AD he came across a wandering dervish named Shamsuddin of Tabriz. The meeting proved to be a turning point in his life. Shamsuddin and Rumi became very close friends. Shams went to Damascus, were he was allegedly killed by the students of Rumi who were resentful of their close relationship. Rumi expressed his love for Shamsuddin and grief at his death, through music, dance and poems.
For nearly ten years after meeting Shamsuddin, Rumi devoted himself in writing ghazals. He made a compilation of ghazals and named it Diwan-e-Kabir or Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi. Thereafter, Rumi encountered a goldsmith - Salaud-Din-e Zarkub - whom he made his companion. When Salaud-Din-e Zarkub died, Rumi befriended one of his favorite disciples named Hussam-e Chalabi. Rumi spent most of the later years of his life in Anatolia, where he finished six volumes of his masterwork, the Masnavi.
Popular Works
• Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi: Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi (or Diwan-e-Kabir) is one of the masterpieces of Rumi. It is a collection of ghazals named in the honor of dervish Shamsuddin, who was Rumi’s great friend and inspiration. It also contains an assortment of poems arranged according to the rhyming scheme. Diwan-e-Kabir has been written in ‘Dari’ dialect. It is regarded as one of the greatest works of Persian literature.
• Mathnawi: Mathnawi is a compilation of six volumes of poetry, written in a didactic style. The poems are intended to inform, instruct as well as entertain the reader. It is believed that Rumi started the work of Mathnawi at the suggestion of his then companion, Husam al-Din Chalabin. Mathnawi attempts to explain the various facets of spiritual life.
Legacy
Rumi’s popularity has gone beyond national and ethnic borders. He is considered to be one of the classical poets, by the speakers of Persian language in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. For many years, he had a great influence on Turkish literature. The popularity of his works inspired many artists, including Mohammad Reza Shajarian (Iran), Shahram Nazeri (Iran), Davood Azad (Iran) and Ustad Mohammad Hashem Cheshti (Afghanistan), to give classical interpretation for his poems. Rumi’s works have been translated to many languages across the world, including Russian, German, Urdu, Turkish, Arabic, French, Italian and Spanish.
Death
Rumi departed from the world on 17th December 1273 AD, in Konya, within the Seljuk Empire's territory (currently it's within Turkey). He was buried beside his father in Konya. A tomb named Mevlana mausoleum was built in Konya, commemorating the great Sufi poet. It consists of a mosque, dervish living quarters and a dance hall. The sacred site is visited by his admirers coming from different parts of the world.
Famous as Great Poet
Born on 30 September 1207
Born in Balkh (in present-day Afghanistan)
Nationality Iran (islamic Republic Of)
Works & Achievements "Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi" (collection of ghazals) and "Mathnawi" (compilation of six volumes of poetry) are the popular works of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi.
Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi was a 13th century Persian poet, an Islamic dervish and a Sufi mystic. He is regarded as one of the greatest spiritual masters and poetical intellects. Born in 1207 AD, he belonged to a family of learned theologians. He made use of everyday life's circumstances to describe the spiritual world. Rumi's poems have acquired immense popularity, especially among the Persian speakers of Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan. Numerous poems written by the great poet have been translated to different languages.
Childhood
Jalaluddin Rumi was born on September 30, 1207, in Balkh (in present-day Afghanistan). His father, Bahaduddin Walad, was a theologian, jurist and a mystic, while his mother was Mumina Khatun. When Mongols invaded Central Asia, between 1215 and 1220, Rumi left Balkh with his family and a group of disciples. The migrating caravan traveled extensively in Muslim lands, including Baghdad, Damascus, Malatya, Erzincan, Sivas, Kayseri and Nigde. After performing pilgrimage in Mecca, they eventually settled in Konya, located in the present-day western Turkey. At that time, Rumi’s father was an Islamic theologian, a teacher and a preacher.
Career
Rumi was a disciple of Sayyed Burhan ud-Din Muhaqqiq Termazi, one of his father’s students. Under the guidance of Sayyed Termazi, he practiced Sufism and acquired a lot of knowledge about spiritual matters and secrets of the spirit world. After the demise of Bahaduddin, in 1231 AD, Rumi inherited his father’s position and became a prominent religious teacher. He preached in the mosques of Konya. By the time Rumi reached the age of 24, he had proven himself as a well-informed scholar in the field of religious science.
Turning Point Of Rumi’s Life
Rumi was already a teacher and a theologian, when in 1244 AD he came across a wandering dervish named Shamsuddin of Tabriz. The meeting proved to be a turning point in his life. Shamsuddin and Rumi became very close friends. Shams went to Damascus, were he was allegedly killed by the students of Rumi who were resentful of their close relationship. Rumi expressed his love for Shamsuddin and grief at his death, through music, dance and poems.
For nearly ten years after meeting Shamsuddin, Rumi devoted himself in writing ghazals. He made a compilation of ghazals and named it Diwan-e-Kabir or Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi. Thereafter, Rumi encountered a goldsmith - Salaud-Din-e Zarkub - whom he made his companion. When Salaud-Din-e Zarkub died, Rumi befriended one of his favorite disciples named Hussam-e Chalabi. Rumi spent most of the later years of his life in Anatolia, where he finished six volumes of his masterwork, the Masnavi.
Popular Works
• Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi: Diwan-e Shams-e Tabrizi (or Diwan-e-Kabir) is one of the masterpieces of Rumi. It is a collection of ghazals named in the honor of dervish Shamsuddin, who was Rumi’s great friend and inspiration. It also contains an assortment of poems arranged according to the rhyming scheme. Diwan-e-Kabir has been written in ‘Dari’ dialect. It is regarded as one of the greatest works of Persian literature.
• Mathnawi: Mathnawi is a compilation of six volumes of poetry, written in a didactic style. The poems are intended to inform, instruct as well as entertain the reader. It is believed that Rumi started the work of Mathnawi at the suggestion of his then companion, Husam al-Din Chalabin. Mathnawi attempts to explain the various facets of spiritual life.
Legacy
Rumi’s popularity has gone beyond national and ethnic borders. He is considered to be one of the classical poets, by the speakers of Persian language in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. For many years, he had a great influence on Turkish literature. The popularity of his works inspired many artists, including Mohammad Reza Shajarian (Iran), Shahram Nazeri (Iran), Davood Azad (Iran) and Ustad Mohammad Hashem Cheshti (Afghanistan), to give classical interpretation for his poems. Rumi’s works have been translated to many languages across the world, including Russian, German, Urdu, Turkish, Arabic, French, Italian and Spanish.
Death
Rumi departed from the world on 17th December 1273 AD, in Konya, within the Seljuk Empire's territory (currently it's within Turkey). He was buried beside his father in Konya. A tomb named Mevlana mausoleum was built in Konya, commemorating the great Sufi poet. It consists of a mosque, dervish living quarters and a dance hall. The sacred site is visited by his admirers coming from different parts of the world.
Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling
Famous as Author & Poet
Born on 30 December 1865
Born in Bombay (Mumbai), India
Died on 18 January 1936
Nationality United Kingdom
Works & Achievements The Jungle Book, Just So Stories, Kim; Nobel Peace Prize (1907)
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English author, journalist and poet who wrote the famous fiction The Jungle Book. Born in the British India, Bombay, he worked in India with a much renowned newspaper The Pioneer, Allahabad before taking up writing as a profession. Best known for his works such as The Jungle Book , Kim and Just So Stories for Little Children, Kipling ranks among the greatest English novelists and authors and regarded as the leader of the art of the short stories. The author has written a number of stories including the famous The Man Who Would Be King and several poems and short stories and contributed greatly in the English literature during the 19th and 20th century. The author received the honorary Nobel Peace Prize in Literature in 1907 and became the first English writer and the youngest recipient to have received the award till this day.
Childhood & Early Life
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born on 30 December 1865 in Bombay, British India. His father Lockwood Kipling was a sculptor and the head of department of the architectural sculpture at the Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy School of Art and Industry in Bombay. Rudyard's mother Alice Kipling was a lively and cheerful woman. After spending some fabulous years in India, a six year old Kipling was sent to England where they lived with a couple Mr. and Mrs. Holloway as then was the custom for the British nationalists living in India. He was accompanied by his three year old sister Alice.
Those years under the bullying and maltreatment of Mrs. Holloway, were of humiliation, torture and obloquy as he sardonically recalls in his autobiography. However, they received the due love and affection at their maternal Aunt Georgia's home that was denied at Holloway's. The bad days came to an end in 1877, when Alice Kipling returned to England and took them away with her. The next year in 1878, Rudyard was sent to study at the United Service College at Westward Ho in Devon. Due to the financial difficulties of his parents, Rudyard abandoned his dream to study at Oxford and took up a job in Lahore-then a part of India- of an assistant editor in a local newspaper the Civil & Military Gazette.
Writer Career
While in Lahore, Kipling wrote over thirty stories for The Gazette beginning from the year 1886. In 1888, his first prose collection Plain Tales from the Hills was published in Calcutta. In 1887, Kipling became a part of a much renowned newspaper The Pioneer, Allahabad. Whilst working with the paper, Rudyard kept on writing and published six volumes of short stories including In Black and White, Soldiers Three and The Phantom Rickshaw. In 1889, he left the newspaper in response to a fall out with the authorities. He decided to move on to London to make his entry in the literary world there. He left India on 8 March 1889.
Several significant things happened in the next two years of his life, he wrote his first novel, The Light That Failed in 1891, and also met an American author and publishing agent, Wolcott Ballisterwith whom he worked together on a novel, The Naulahka. In the mean time, he also suffered from a nervous breakdown. Due to his continuously deteriorating health, his doctors advised him for a sea voyage, which he eventually embarked on in 1891 with an intention of visiting South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and India once again.However, his plans were cut short on account of the sudden demise of Wolcott Balestier from typhoid fever, and he immediately decided to return to London. Meanwhile, he wrote a collection of short stories about the British India called Life's Handicap which was published in 1891 in London.
Marriage & Children
Before returning to London, he sent a telegram to propose to Wolcott’s sister Caroline (also called Carrie), with whom he had been apparently involved in sporadic romance. On 18 January 1892, Carrie and Rudyard were married in London, The ceremony was held at All Souls Church, Langham Place.
The Kipling couple move to the United States where their first daughter Josephine was born on 29 December 1892. It was after her birth, that he started writing the 'Mowgli stories' which later became known as The Jungle Book and with in the next few years, Rudyard had written a volume of short stories, a novel Captain Courageous and a several number of poetries together with The Seven seas.
In 1896, couple's second daughter Elsie was born. After the British-American crisis broke out in 1895, the couple decided to move out of America where they underwent a series of embitter behavior from the natives. The couple left America for good in 1896.
Back in England, Kipling began to work more actively and fiercely. Recessional and The White Man's Burden his two poems were published in 1897 and 1899 respectively and gave rise to huge controversies that will last for long. In 1897, the couple was overjoyed when their first and only son John Kipling was born in the month of August. However, a tragedy befell the family when their elder daughter died of pneumonia in 1899.
The Road to Success
In 1902, Kipling published another story Just So Stories for Little Children which would become one of his most acclaimed works following the success of Kim. He further wrote two science fictions With the Night Mail and As Easy as A.B.C. which made into print in 1905 and 1912 respectively.
The most active phase of his life was the first decade of 20th century, when he was at the peak of his creative best. For him, 1907 brought along with it the greatest honor of the time, the Noble Prize for Literature. At the award function in Stockholm on 10 December 1907, Kipling became the first English language recipient of this great honor.
After this great accomplishment, came two great poetry and story compendiums: Puck of Pook’s hill and Reward and Fairies which were published in 1906 and 1910 respectively. The latter contained one of the most favorite poems of all times in English literature called “If…” This marvelous poem inciting readers for self-command and phlegm became Kipling’s one of the most famous poetry creation of all the times.
Kipling always remained politically expressive with his creations. He commiserated with the anti-Home Rule stand of the Irish Unionist .He also stroked chords of intellectuality with the Dublin-born leader Edward Carson who raised a potent voice against "Rome Rule” and also publicized his staunch opinion through his creations. Kipling also projected himself as a strong opponent of the Principles of Democratic centralism and Quasi-military discipline through his creations.
Despite his intellectual asset and enormous popularity, he was never made Poet Laureate. Different people quote different reasons behind it, some are of the view that he himself turned down the offer while others are of the opinion that Queen Victoria didn’t approve of him. However, this never came as a hurdle in Kipling’s literary career, he is still regarded as the best author and poet, English Language could ever get.
Later years & Death
Tragedy once again hit the family when his only son John Kipling died in 1915 at the 'battle of Loos'. The untimely death of his son made Rudyard blame himself for his role in getting John in the Army at an early age of 17. The incident made him write a poem "My Boy Jack" in which he deeply mourns for his son cursing and blaming himself.
In year 1922, Kipling was elected the Lord Rector of St Andrews University in Scotland and remained on the position till 1925. Towards the end of his life, Kipling chose to take a backseat with his writing career, though he did not completely abandon it, the output was lesser. He died of a hemorrhage on 18 January 1936 and was cremated at Golden Green Crematorium.
Timeline:
1865- Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born on 30 December 1865.
1878- Rudyard was sent to study at the United Service College at Westward Ho in Devon.
1888- His first prose collection Plain Tales from the Hills was published in Calcutta.
1887- Kipling joined thenewspaper The Pioneer, Allahabad.
1889- He left the newspaper and moved to London.
1891- He wrote his first novel, The Light That Failed in 1891.
1892- Carrie and Rudyard were married.
1892- Their first daughter Josephine was born on 29 December 1892.
1896- Couple's second daughter Elsie was born.
1896- The couple left America for good in 1896.
1897- When their first and only son John Kipling was born.
1899- Their elder daughter died of pneumonia in 1899.
1907- He was awarded the Noble Prize for Literature.
1915- His only son John Kipling died in 1915.
1922- Kipling was elected the Lord Rector of St Andrews University in Scotland.
1936- He died of a hemorrhage on 18 January 1936.
Famous as Author & Poet
Born on 30 December 1865
Born in Bombay (Mumbai), India
Died on 18 January 1936
Nationality United Kingdom
Works & Achievements The Jungle Book, Just So Stories, Kim; Nobel Peace Prize (1907)
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English author, journalist and poet who wrote the famous fiction The Jungle Book. Born in the British India, Bombay, he worked in India with a much renowned newspaper The Pioneer, Allahabad before taking up writing as a profession. Best known for his works such as The Jungle Book , Kim and Just So Stories for Little Children, Kipling ranks among the greatest English novelists and authors and regarded as the leader of the art of the short stories. The author has written a number of stories including the famous The Man Who Would Be King and several poems and short stories and contributed greatly in the English literature during the 19th and 20th century. The author received the honorary Nobel Peace Prize in Literature in 1907 and became the first English writer and the youngest recipient to have received the award till this day.
Childhood & Early Life
Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born on 30 December 1865 in Bombay, British India. His father Lockwood Kipling was a sculptor and the head of department of the architectural sculpture at the Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy School of Art and Industry in Bombay. Rudyard's mother Alice Kipling was a lively and cheerful woman. After spending some fabulous years in India, a six year old Kipling was sent to England where they lived with a couple Mr. and Mrs. Holloway as then was the custom for the British nationalists living in India. He was accompanied by his three year old sister Alice.
Those years under the bullying and maltreatment of Mrs. Holloway, were of humiliation, torture and obloquy as he sardonically recalls in his autobiography. However, they received the due love and affection at their maternal Aunt Georgia's home that was denied at Holloway's. The bad days came to an end in 1877, when Alice Kipling returned to England and took them away with her. The next year in 1878, Rudyard was sent to study at the United Service College at Westward Ho in Devon. Due to the financial difficulties of his parents, Rudyard abandoned his dream to study at Oxford and took up a job in Lahore-then a part of India- of an assistant editor in a local newspaper the Civil & Military Gazette.
Writer Career
While in Lahore, Kipling wrote over thirty stories for The Gazette beginning from the year 1886. In 1888, his first prose collection Plain Tales from the Hills was published in Calcutta. In 1887, Kipling became a part of a much renowned newspaper The Pioneer, Allahabad. Whilst working with the paper, Rudyard kept on writing and published six volumes of short stories including In Black and White, Soldiers Three and The Phantom Rickshaw. In 1889, he left the newspaper in response to a fall out with the authorities. He decided to move on to London to make his entry in the literary world there. He left India on 8 March 1889.
Several significant things happened in the next two years of his life, he wrote his first novel, The Light That Failed in 1891, and also met an American author and publishing agent, Wolcott Ballisterwith whom he worked together on a novel, The Naulahka. In the mean time, he also suffered from a nervous breakdown. Due to his continuously deteriorating health, his doctors advised him for a sea voyage, which he eventually embarked on in 1891 with an intention of visiting South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and India once again.However, his plans were cut short on account of the sudden demise of Wolcott Balestier from typhoid fever, and he immediately decided to return to London. Meanwhile, he wrote a collection of short stories about the British India called Life's Handicap which was published in 1891 in London.
Marriage & Children
Before returning to London, he sent a telegram to propose to Wolcott’s sister Caroline (also called Carrie), with whom he had been apparently involved in sporadic romance. On 18 January 1892, Carrie and Rudyard were married in London, The ceremony was held at All Souls Church, Langham Place.
The Kipling couple move to the United States where their first daughter Josephine was born on 29 December 1892. It was after her birth, that he started writing the 'Mowgli stories' which later became known as The Jungle Book and with in the next few years, Rudyard had written a volume of short stories, a novel Captain Courageous and a several number of poetries together with The Seven seas.
In 1896, couple's second daughter Elsie was born. After the British-American crisis broke out in 1895, the couple decided to move out of America where they underwent a series of embitter behavior from the natives. The couple left America for good in 1896.
Back in England, Kipling began to work more actively and fiercely. Recessional and The White Man's Burden his two poems were published in 1897 and 1899 respectively and gave rise to huge controversies that will last for long. In 1897, the couple was overjoyed when their first and only son John Kipling was born in the month of August. However, a tragedy befell the family when their elder daughter died of pneumonia in 1899.
The Road to Success
In 1902, Kipling published another story Just So Stories for Little Children which would become one of his most acclaimed works following the success of Kim. He further wrote two science fictions With the Night Mail and As Easy as A.B.C. which made into print in 1905 and 1912 respectively.
The most active phase of his life was the first decade of 20th century, when he was at the peak of his creative best. For him, 1907 brought along with it the greatest honor of the time, the Noble Prize for Literature. At the award function in Stockholm on 10 December 1907, Kipling became the first English language recipient of this great honor.
After this great accomplishment, came two great poetry and story compendiums: Puck of Pook’s hill and Reward and Fairies which were published in 1906 and 1910 respectively. The latter contained one of the most favorite poems of all times in English literature called “If…” This marvelous poem inciting readers for self-command and phlegm became Kipling’s one of the most famous poetry creation of all the times.
Kipling always remained politically expressive with his creations. He commiserated with the anti-Home Rule stand of the Irish Unionist .He also stroked chords of intellectuality with the Dublin-born leader Edward Carson who raised a potent voice against "Rome Rule” and also publicized his staunch opinion through his creations. Kipling also projected himself as a strong opponent of the Principles of Democratic centralism and Quasi-military discipline through his creations.
Despite his intellectual asset and enormous popularity, he was never made Poet Laureate. Different people quote different reasons behind it, some are of the view that he himself turned down the offer while others are of the opinion that Queen Victoria didn’t approve of him. However, this never came as a hurdle in Kipling’s literary career, he is still regarded as the best author and poet, English Language could ever get.
Later years & Death
Tragedy once again hit the family when his only son John Kipling died in 1915 at the 'battle of Loos'. The untimely death of his son made Rudyard blame himself for his role in getting John in the Army at an early age of 17. The incident made him write a poem "My Boy Jack" in which he deeply mourns for his son cursing and blaming himself.
In year 1922, Kipling was elected the Lord Rector of St Andrews University in Scotland and remained on the position till 1925. Towards the end of his life, Kipling chose to take a backseat with his writing career, though he did not completely abandon it, the output was lesser. He died of a hemorrhage on 18 January 1936 and was cremated at Golden Green Crematorium.
Timeline:
1865- Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born on 30 December 1865.
1878- Rudyard was sent to study at the United Service College at Westward Ho in Devon.
1888- His first prose collection Plain Tales from the Hills was published in Calcutta.
1887- Kipling joined thenewspaper The Pioneer, Allahabad.
1889- He left the newspaper and moved to London.
1891- He wrote his first novel, The Light That Failed in 1891.
1892- Carrie and Rudyard were married.
1892- Their first daughter Josephine was born on 29 December 1892.
1896- Couple's second daughter Elsie was born.
1896- The couple left America for good in 1896.
1897- When their first and only son John Kipling was born.
1899- Their elder daughter died of pneumonia in 1899.
1907- He was awarded the Noble Prize for Literature.
1915- His only son John Kipling died in 1915.
1922- Kipling was elected the Lord Rector of St Andrews University in Scotland.
1936- He died of a hemorrhage on 18 January 1936.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Famous as Poet, essayist and Transcendentalist
Born on 25 May 1803
Born in Boston, Massachusetts
Died on 27 April 1882
Nationality United States
Works & Achievements Society and Solitude, Letters and Social Aims, Nature
Ralph Waldo Emerson was a successful essayist, poet and philosopher of America who stirred up controversies with his contemptuous views on Christianity and church and contributed in the New Thought movement as one of its prominent leaders by developing the 'Transcendentalism'. Ralph denounced the social and religious beliefs of his equals and expressed his philosophy of Transcendentalism in his essay such as Nature and lectures worldwide. The great orator of all time, he delivered his famous speech The American Scholar in 1837, which would mark its presence in the history of America. Ralph once again stir fresh controversies from all sides for his support to abolitionism in his later life and was often subjected to the criticism and harm from his countrymen. As poet and essayist, Emerson's best selected works include Society and Solitude (1870) Letters and Social Aims, Nature and The American Scholar.
Childhood & Education
Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on 25 May 1803 in Boston, Massachusetts, America. Of five sons of Ruth Haskins and the Rev. William Emerson, Ralph was their second son to survive into adulthood. His other surviving siblings were William, Edward, Robert Bulkeley and Charles. Ralph's father died of stomach cancer when he was as young as eight, which shook his tranquil childhood for a while. Now with increased responsibilities, his mother raised him with the help of his aunt Mary Moody Emerson, who would become a great influence in his later life. A woman of intellect and virtue, she spent most time with Ralph and maintained a cordial relation with the family until her death in 1863. After initial schooling at home, Ralph was sent to the Boston Latin School in 1812, at the age of nine. Later in 1817, when he was 14, Emerson enrolled in to Harvard College, where he acted as the class poet citing his original poetries on occasions. He received his graduation degree in 1821, when he was eighteen.
Early Life & Career
Upon finishing his education, Emerson took on helping his brother with running a school for young ladies. He began to teach there and for the next several years, earned his living as a teacher. In 1825, Ralph went on to joining the Harvard Divinity School. In March 1829, Emerson was called by Boston's Second Church to serve as its junior priest; he accepted and was ordained on 11 March 1829. In the same year, he met his first wife Ellen Louisa Tucker and married her. The couple settled in Boston where Ellen died of Tuberculosis on 8 February 1831, at the age of 20.
A devastated Emerson deeply mourned over her death for a long time. His faith in Christianity and church was shaken by the tragic death of his wife and he began to question the church's system. His further qualms about public prayers and Communion services ultimately resulted in his resignation in 1832 after he fell out with the officials of the church. According to the journals maintained by him, he believed that 'Jesus was a great man, but not the God'.
In 1832, Emerson set off on a tour to Europe where he met William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and several other contemporary authors. He returned from the trip on 9 October 1833 and went on to live with his mother in Massachusetts. On 14 September 1835, Emerson married for a second time to Lydia Jackson who would give birth to their four children Waldo, Ellen, Edith and Edward Waldo Emerson.
The Transcendentalism movement
With the help of his mated and supporters, Emerson founded the Transcendental Club which was supposed to be the hub for their movement. The first meeting of its members was held on 19 September 1836. In the same year, Emerson's first essay called Nature was published under an unknown identity. The next year Emerson gave his best known lecture The American Scholar in which he addressed the American calling them to establish it own literary identity.
In 1840, The Transcendental group issued a journal The Dial with George Ripley as its managing editor and Margaret Fuller as its first editor. The journal which was became popular as the most 'thought provoking' journal ever, served as the official publication of Transcendentalist movement until 1944. The next year 1942, proved to be unfortunate for Emersion, whose son died of scarlet fever leaving him in utter despair and depression.
Later Years & Death
Ralph was anti-slavery person but it was not until the American Civil War broke that he came forward for the cause. Towards the end of his life, Emerson suffered from a memory loss and by the end of 1972, it became known to public. In 1872, Emerson's home caught fire in a tragic incident. Though he tried saving as many documents and important objects as possible, the incident put an end to his lecturing career. In 1874, an anthology was published by Emerson which consisted poetries by other contemporaries such as Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Julia Caroline Dorr and Lucy Larcom.
Though Emerson remained active during his last years, by 1879, he had completely ceased appearing in public for lectures on account of his memory loss and ailing health and only people close to him were allowed to visit him. On 19 April 1882, Emerson fell sick with what was diagnosed as pneumonia and died on 27 April 1882. His body now rests in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord in Massachusetts.
Notable Works
Emerson wrote his first book 'Nature' in 1836, which consists of his essays Nature, Commodity, Beauty, Language, Discipline, Idealism, Spirit, Prospects, The American Scholar, Divinity School Address, Literary Ethics, The Method of Nature, Man the Reformer, Introductory Lecture on the Times, The Conservative, The Transcendentalist, and The Young American. In 1856, he wrote the accounts of his travels which became known as English Trait.
Essays written by him in 1841, in the first series include History, Self-Reliance, Compensation, Spiritual Laws, Love, Friendship, Prudence, Heroism, The Over-Soul, Circles, Intellect and Art. The Second Series, written in 1844 includes The Poet, Experience, Character, Manners, Gifts, Nature, Politics, Nominalist and Realist, and New England Reformers.
His poetry collection 'Poems' was published in 1847. The Conduct of Life was published in 1860, just before Emerson went on a North American lecture series followed by his next collection of poetry May-Day and Other Pieces in 1867. He next wrote Society and Solitude, published in 1870. Apart from these, Emerson authored "Natural History of Intellect" -a series of lectures- delivered at Harvard University.
Timeline:
1803- Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on 25 May 1803.
1812- Ralph was sent to the Boston Latin School in 1812.
1817- Emerson enrolled in to Harvard College.
1821- He received his graduation degree in 1821.
1825- Ralph went on to joining the Harvard Divinity School.
1829- Emerson was called by Boston's Second Church to serve as its junior priest.
1829- Emerson married his first wife Ellen Louisa Tucker in 1829.
1831- Ellen died of Tuberculosis.
1832- Emerson resigned from the Church.
1832- Emerson set off on a tour to Europe.
1835- Emerson married to Lydia Jackson on 14 September 1835.
1836- Emerson founded the Transcendental Club and first meeting of its members was held on 19 September 1836.
1840- The Transcendental group issued a journal The Dial.
1842- Emerson's son died of scarlet fever.
1844- The publication of The Dial was ceased.
1872- Emerson's home caught fire and he suffered from a memory loss.
1874- An anthology was published by Emerson.
1882- Emerson fell sick with what was diagnosed as pneumonia.
1882- He died on 27 April 1882.
Famous as Poet, essayist and Transcendentalist
Born on 25 May 1803
Born in Boston, Massachusetts
Died on 27 April 1882
Nationality United States
Works & Achievements Society and Solitude, Letters and Social Aims, Nature
Ralph Waldo Emerson was a successful essayist, poet and philosopher of America who stirred up controversies with his contemptuous views on Christianity and church and contributed in the New Thought movement as one of its prominent leaders by developing the 'Transcendentalism'. Ralph denounced the social and religious beliefs of his equals and expressed his philosophy of Transcendentalism in his essay such as Nature and lectures worldwide. The great orator of all time, he delivered his famous speech The American Scholar in 1837, which would mark its presence in the history of America. Ralph once again stir fresh controversies from all sides for his support to abolitionism in his later life and was often subjected to the criticism and harm from his countrymen. As poet and essayist, Emerson's best selected works include Society and Solitude (1870) Letters and Social Aims, Nature and The American Scholar.
Childhood & Education
Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on 25 May 1803 in Boston, Massachusetts, America. Of five sons of Ruth Haskins and the Rev. William Emerson, Ralph was their second son to survive into adulthood. His other surviving siblings were William, Edward, Robert Bulkeley and Charles. Ralph's father died of stomach cancer when he was as young as eight, which shook his tranquil childhood for a while. Now with increased responsibilities, his mother raised him with the help of his aunt Mary Moody Emerson, who would become a great influence in his later life. A woman of intellect and virtue, she spent most time with Ralph and maintained a cordial relation with the family until her death in 1863. After initial schooling at home, Ralph was sent to the Boston Latin School in 1812, at the age of nine. Later in 1817, when he was 14, Emerson enrolled in to Harvard College, where he acted as the class poet citing his original poetries on occasions. He received his graduation degree in 1821, when he was eighteen.
Early Life & Career
Upon finishing his education, Emerson took on helping his brother with running a school for young ladies. He began to teach there and for the next several years, earned his living as a teacher. In 1825, Ralph went on to joining the Harvard Divinity School. In March 1829, Emerson was called by Boston's Second Church to serve as its junior priest; he accepted and was ordained on 11 March 1829. In the same year, he met his first wife Ellen Louisa Tucker and married her. The couple settled in Boston where Ellen died of Tuberculosis on 8 February 1831, at the age of 20.
A devastated Emerson deeply mourned over her death for a long time. His faith in Christianity and church was shaken by the tragic death of his wife and he began to question the church's system. His further qualms about public prayers and Communion services ultimately resulted in his resignation in 1832 after he fell out with the officials of the church. According to the journals maintained by him, he believed that 'Jesus was a great man, but not the God'.
In 1832, Emerson set off on a tour to Europe where he met William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and several other contemporary authors. He returned from the trip on 9 October 1833 and went on to live with his mother in Massachusetts. On 14 September 1835, Emerson married for a second time to Lydia Jackson who would give birth to their four children Waldo, Ellen, Edith and Edward Waldo Emerson.
The Transcendentalism movement
With the help of his mated and supporters, Emerson founded the Transcendental Club which was supposed to be the hub for their movement. The first meeting of its members was held on 19 September 1836. In the same year, Emerson's first essay called Nature was published under an unknown identity. The next year Emerson gave his best known lecture The American Scholar in which he addressed the American calling them to establish it own literary identity.
In 1840, The Transcendental group issued a journal The Dial with George Ripley as its managing editor and Margaret Fuller as its first editor. The journal which was became popular as the most 'thought provoking' journal ever, served as the official publication of Transcendentalist movement until 1944. The next year 1942, proved to be unfortunate for Emersion, whose son died of scarlet fever leaving him in utter despair and depression.
Later Years & Death
Ralph was anti-slavery person but it was not until the American Civil War broke that he came forward for the cause. Towards the end of his life, Emerson suffered from a memory loss and by the end of 1972, it became known to public. In 1872, Emerson's home caught fire in a tragic incident. Though he tried saving as many documents and important objects as possible, the incident put an end to his lecturing career. In 1874, an anthology was published by Emerson which consisted poetries by other contemporaries such as Anna Laetitia Barbauld, Julia Caroline Dorr and Lucy Larcom.
Though Emerson remained active during his last years, by 1879, he had completely ceased appearing in public for lectures on account of his memory loss and ailing health and only people close to him were allowed to visit him. On 19 April 1882, Emerson fell sick with what was diagnosed as pneumonia and died on 27 April 1882. His body now rests in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord in Massachusetts.
Notable Works
Emerson wrote his first book 'Nature' in 1836, which consists of his essays Nature, Commodity, Beauty, Language, Discipline, Idealism, Spirit, Prospects, The American Scholar, Divinity School Address, Literary Ethics, The Method of Nature, Man the Reformer, Introductory Lecture on the Times, The Conservative, The Transcendentalist, and The Young American. In 1856, he wrote the accounts of his travels which became known as English Trait.
Essays written by him in 1841, in the first series include History, Self-Reliance, Compensation, Spiritual Laws, Love, Friendship, Prudence, Heroism, The Over-Soul, Circles, Intellect and Art. The Second Series, written in 1844 includes The Poet, Experience, Character, Manners, Gifts, Nature, Politics, Nominalist and Realist, and New England Reformers.
His poetry collection 'Poems' was published in 1847. The Conduct of Life was published in 1860, just before Emerson went on a North American lecture series followed by his next collection of poetry May-Day and Other Pieces in 1867. He next wrote Society and Solitude, published in 1870. Apart from these, Emerson authored "Natural History of Intellect" -a series of lectures- delivered at Harvard University.
Timeline:
1803- Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on 25 May 1803.
1812- Ralph was sent to the Boston Latin School in 1812.
1817- Emerson enrolled in to Harvard College.
1821- He received his graduation degree in 1821.
1825- Ralph went on to joining the Harvard Divinity School.
1829- Emerson was called by Boston's Second Church to serve as its junior priest.
1829- Emerson married his first wife Ellen Louisa Tucker in 1829.
1831- Ellen died of Tuberculosis.
1832- Emerson resigned from the Church.
1832- Emerson set off on a tour to Europe.
1835- Emerson married to Lydia Jackson on 14 September 1835.
1836- Emerson founded the Transcendental Club and first meeting of its members was held on 19 September 1836.
1840- The Transcendental group issued a journal The Dial.
1842- Emerson's son died of scarlet fever.
1844- The publication of The Dial was ceased.
1872- Emerson's home caught fire and he suffered from a memory loss.
1874- An anthology was published by Emerson.
1882- Emerson fell sick with what was diagnosed as pneumonia.
1882- He died on 27 April 1882.
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore
Famous as Poet and Author
Born on 07 May 1861
Born in Calcutta (Kolkata), India
Died on 07 August 1941
Nationality India
Works & Achievements Nobel Prize in Literature (1913); Gitanjli, Ghare-Baire and The Gardener
A Bengali mystic and artist, Rabindranath Tagore was a great poet, philosopher, music composer and a leader of Brahma Samaj, who took the India culture and tradition to the whole world and became a voice of the Indian heritage. Best known for his poems and short stories, Tagore largely contributed to the Bengali literature in the late 19th and early 20th century and created his masterpieces such as Ghare-Baire, Yogayog, Gitanjali, and Gitimalya. The author extended his contribution during the Indian Independence Movement and wrote songs and poems galvanizing the movement, though he never directly participated in it. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 1913 and became the Asia's first Nobel Laureate. Two famous songs composed by him Amar Shonar Bangala and Jana Gana Mana became a part of the national anthem of Bangladesh and India respectively after their independence. He was the only person to have written the national anthems of two countries. Aside from this, the greatest legacy of the poet to his country remains the world renowned institution he founded known as Visva-Bharati University.
Childhood & Education
Born on 7 May 1861 in a wealthy and prominent Brahmin family of Bengal (Calcutta), Rabindranath Tagore was the youngest of thirteen children of his father Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi. The Tagore family was a leading follower of Brahma Samaj, a new religious sector in the 19th century. Rabindranath Tagore develop an early love for literature, and had begun reading biographies, poems, history, Sanskrit and several others by the age of 12. He also studies the classical poetry of Kalidasa, the father of poetry in India. In 1877, he wrote his first poem, which was composed in a Maithili style. His early works include Bhikharani (The beggar woman) - the first short story in Bengali, Sandhya Sangit which he wrote in 1882 and a poem Nirjharer Swapnabhanga. Nirjharer Swapnabhanga was his first poem which gained him a remarkable success and established him as a poet.
Initially wanting to become a barrister, Tagore took admission at a public school in Brighton, England in 1878. Although he was later sent to study law at University College London, he never finished his degree there and returned home in 1880. In 1883, he married his wife Mrinalini and the couple had five children, among which only three could survive into their adulthood. Rabindranath Tagore took the responsibility of his father’s large states in Shilaidaha in 1890, and began running the family business there. As a part of it, he traveled to many adjacent villages and formed a sympathetic bond with the villagers, who clearly took honor in his company. The duration between 1891 and 1895, which is known as his ‘Sadhna Period’, witnessed some great works of the poet, among which Galpaguchchha was the most popular.
Early Life & Work
Tagore moved to Santiniketan, West Bengal in 1901 and set up an ashram there which included an experimental school, garden and a library. His wife Mrinalini and his two children succumbed to death during this period. After his father’s death in 1905, he became heir to his large estates which made him financially sound and stable. He also received income from the sale of his family’s jewelry and royalties from his works. By this time, Tagore had written more than thirty poems, drama and fictions, including his major works such as Manasi (1890), Gitanjali (1910), Gitimalya (1914) and many English and Bengali playa. Gitanjli was his most acclaimed work.
In year 1913, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature for his exceptional contribution to the Indian and world literature. Further, he received the title Knighthood from the British government in 1915, which he abandoned aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 as a protest against the British rule in India. In 1921, Tagore founded an Institute for Rural Reconstruction- which he later renamed as Shriniketan- and appointed scholars from many places to share their knowledge with the students. As education reformer, he introduced Upanishad ideals of education and widely contributed towards uplifting the ‘untouchables’.
Notable Work
Rabindranath Tagore wrote eight novels and a number of poems and most of his creations are in the Bangla language. His most acclaimed works in novel genre are Ghare Baire, Shesher Kobita, Char Odhay, Gora, Jogajog, and Dak Ghar. Aside from fictions and autobiographical works, he also wrote essays, lectures and short stories on various topics ranging from history to science and arts. As a prolific musician, Tagore influenced the style of such musician such as Amjad Ali Khan and Vilayat Khan. He composed the words and music of the Indian national anthem Jana Gana Mana, which was accepted as the national anthem in 1950.
His song has been accepted as the national anthem of Bangladesh as well, thus making him the first ever person to have written the national anthems of two countries. Tagore discovered his talent as a painter in his early sixties, when his first exhibition was held in Paris. Tagore was credited with the culmination of writing short stories as an art, especially in Bengali. “The fruit seller from Kabul” is considered one of the best creations among at least eighty four stories written by him. Based upon his early experience with villagers, he wrote stories which give a glimpse of the life most Bengali live. Though Tagore wrote vividly in every genre of literature, he was a poet first of all. His poets are an inseparable part of every Bengali family where his poems are recited on all important occasions. His best collection of poems is Gitanjali, which gained him the Nobel Prize in literature in 1913.
Political Views & Death
Tagore’s political views were somehow at odds with that of Mahatma Gandhi, though the two shared a good rapport and a moderate friendship. However, Tagore denounce the Swadeshi Movement in his acerbic essay The Cult of the Charka in 1925, he continued to support Indian nationalist movement in his own non-sentimental and visionary way. He wrote songs and poems galvanizing the Indian Independence movement. After the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in 1919, he renounced the knighthood awarded by the British government as a protest against it. His most acclaimed work Jana Gana Mana became the national anthem of India after its declaration as a Republic in 1950.
Tagore’s extensive travel and increasingly hectic work began to take its toll in his later years and he suffered from relentless pain and two long periods of illness. The second phase of illness proved to be fatal as he never recovered from that. He first lost his consciousness in 1937 and had the same experience for the second and last time in late 1940, and died after soon on 7 August 1941. The day is mourned upon across his native Bengal, India and Bengali-speaking world for which he still remains alive in his poems and songs.
Timeline:
1861- Rabindarnath Tagore was born on 7 May 1861.
1877- He wrote his first poem, which was composed in a Maithili style.
1878- Tagore took admission at a public school in Brighton, England in 1878.
1880- He dropped out in middle and returned home in 1880.
1883- He married Mrinalini in 1883.
1890- Rabindranath Tagore took the responsibility of his father’s large estates.
1901- Tagore moved to Santiniketan, West Bengal in 1901.
1905- His father died in 1905.
1913- Rabindarnath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature.
1915- He received the title Knighthood from the British government in 1915.
1921- Tagore founded an Institute for Rural Reconstruction, Shriniketan.
1937- He first lost his consciousness in 1937.
1940- His second phase of illness began in 1940.
1941- Rabindranath Tagore died on 7 August 1941.
Famous as Poet and Author
Born on 07 May 1861
Born in Calcutta (Kolkata), India
Died on 07 August 1941
Nationality India
Works & Achievements Nobel Prize in Literature (1913); Gitanjli, Ghare-Baire and The Gardener
A Bengali mystic and artist, Rabindranath Tagore was a great poet, philosopher, music composer and a leader of Brahma Samaj, who took the India culture and tradition to the whole world and became a voice of the Indian heritage. Best known for his poems and short stories, Tagore largely contributed to the Bengali literature in the late 19th and early 20th century and created his masterpieces such as Ghare-Baire, Yogayog, Gitanjali, and Gitimalya. The author extended his contribution during the Indian Independence Movement and wrote songs and poems galvanizing the movement, though he never directly participated in it. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 1913 and became the Asia's first Nobel Laureate. Two famous songs composed by him Amar Shonar Bangala and Jana Gana Mana became a part of the national anthem of Bangladesh and India respectively after their independence. He was the only person to have written the national anthems of two countries. Aside from this, the greatest legacy of the poet to his country remains the world renowned institution he founded known as Visva-Bharati University.
Childhood & Education
Born on 7 May 1861 in a wealthy and prominent Brahmin family of Bengal (Calcutta), Rabindranath Tagore was the youngest of thirteen children of his father Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi. The Tagore family was a leading follower of Brahma Samaj, a new religious sector in the 19th century. Rabindranath Tagore develop an early love for literature, and had begun reading biographies, poems, history, Sanskrit and several others by the age of 12. He also studies the classical poetry of Kalidasa, the father of poetry in India. In 1877, he wrote his first poem, which was composed in a Maithili style. His early works include Bhikharani (The beggar woman) - the first short story in Bengali, Sandhya Sangit which he wrote in 1882 and a poem Nirjharer Swapnabhanga. Nirjharer Swapnabhanga was his first poem which gained him a remarkable success and established him as a poet.
Initially wanting to become a barrister, Tagore took admission at a public school in Brighton, England in 1878. Although he was later sent to study law at University College London, he never finished his degree there and returned home in 1880. In 1883, he married his wife Mrinalini and the couple had five children, among which only three could survive into their adulthood. Rabindranath Tagore took the responsibility of his father’s large states in Shilaidaha in 1890, and began running the family business there. As a part of it, he traveled to many adjacent villages and formed a sympathetic bond with the villagers, who clearly took honor in his company. The duration between 1891 and 1895, which is known as his ‘Sadhna Period’, witnessed some great works of the poet, among which Galpaguchchha was the most popular.
Early Life & Work
Tagore moved to Santiniketan, West Bengal in 1901 and set up an ashram there which included an experimental school, garden and a library. His wife Mrinalini and his two children succumbed to death during this period. After his father’s death in 1905, he became heir to his large estates which made him financially sound and stable. He also received income from the sale of his family’s jewelry and royalties from his works. By this time, Tagore had written more than thirty poems, drama and fictions, including his major works such as Manasi (1890), Gitanjali (1910), Gitimalya (1914) and many English and Bengali playa. Gitanjli was his most acclaimed work.
In year 1913, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature for his exceptional contribution to the Indian and world literature. Further, he received the title Knighthood from the British government in 1915, which he abandoned aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 as a protest against the British rule in India. In 1921, Tagore founded an Institute for Rural Reconstruction- which he later renamed as Shriniketan- and appointed scholars from many places to share their knowledge with the students. As education reformer, he introduced Upanishad ideals of education and widely contributed towards uplifting the ‘untouchables’.
Notable Work
Rabindranath Tagore wrote eight novels and a number of poems and most of his creations are in the Bangla language. His most acclaimed works in novel genre are Ghare Baire, Shesher Kobita, Char Odhay, Gora, Jogajog, and Dak Ghar. Aside from fictions and autobiographical works, he also wrote essays, lectures and short stories on various topics ranging from history to science and arts. As a prolific musician, Tagore influenced the style of such musician such as Amjad Ali Khan and Vilayat Khan. He composed the words and music of the Indian national anthem Jana Gana Mana, which was accepted as the national anthem in 1950.
His song has been accepted as the national anthem of Bangladesh as well, thus making him the first ever person to have written the national anthems of two countries. Tagore discovered his talent as a painter in his early sixties, when his first exhibition was held in Paris. Tagore was credited with the culmination of writing short stories as an art, especially in Bengali. “The fruit seller from Kabul” is considered one of the best creations among at least eighty four stories written by him. Based upon his early experience with villagers, he wrote stories which give a glimpse of the life most Bengali live. Though Tagore wrote vividly in every genre of literature, he was a poet first of all. His poets are an inseparable part of every Bengali family where his poems are recited on all important occasions. His best collection of poems is Gitanjali, which gained him the Nobel Prize in literature in 1913.
Political Views & Death
Tagore’s political views were somehow at odds with that of Mahatma Gandhi, though the two shared a good rapport and a moderate friendship. However, Tagore denounce the Swadeshi Movement in his acerbic essay The Cult of the Charka in 1925, he continued to support Indian nationalist movement in his own non-sentimental and visionary way. He wrote songs and poems galvanizing the Indian Independence movement. After the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in 1919, he renounced the knighthood awarded by the British government as a protest against it. His most acclaimed work Jana Gana Mana became the national anthem of India after its declaration as a Republic in 1950.
Tagore’s extensive travel and increasingly hectic work began to take its toll in his later years and he suffered from relentless pain and two long periods of illness. The second phase of illness proved to be fatal as he never recovered from that. He first lost his consciousness in 1937 and had the same experience for the second and last time in late 1940, and died after soon on 7 August 1941. The day is mourned upon across his native Bengal, India and Bengali-speaking world for which he still remains alive in his poems and songs.
Timeline:
1861- Rabindarnath Tagore was born on 7 May 1861.
1877- He wrote his first poem, which was composed in a Maithili style.
1878- Tagore took admission at a public school in Brighton, England in 1878.
1880- He dropped out in middle and returned home in 1880.
1883- He married Mrinalini in 1883.
1890- Rabindranath Tagore took the responsibility of his father’s large estates.
1901- Tagore moved to Santiniketan, West Bengal in 1901.
1905- His father died in 1905.
1913- Rabindarnath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature.
1915- He received the title Knighthood from the British government in 1915.
1921- Tagore founded an Institute for Rural Reconstruction, Shriniketan.
1937- He first lost his consciousness in 1937.
1940- His second phase of illness began in 1940.
1941- Rabindranath Tagore died on 7 August 1941.
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley
Famous as First African American Poetess
Born in Gambia, Africa
Works & Achievements Phillis Wheatley was the author of the book 'Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral' which brought her not only freedom, but also recognition.
Phillis Wheatley is renowned as the first African-American poetess and the second African-American to get her/his book published. Her work is highly looked upon, today, as it marks the beginning of the genre of African-American literature. Though Wheatley was taken as a slave to America, her creative abilities could not be concealed for a long time. Her masters taught her to read and write and encouraged her to write poetry. Wheatley's poems not only brought her freedom, but also fame and recognition worldwide.
Early Life
Though the exact birth date of Phillis Wheatley is not known, it is assumed that she was born in the year 1753, in Gambia (today Senegal), Africa. In the year 1761, she was abducted and taken to America, in a slave ship named 'Phillis'. This was how she got her name, Phillis. Reaching Boston, she was purchased by a wealthy merchant, John Wheatley, who took her to work as a servant and an attendant to his wife, Susanna.
From being just a servant, Phillis became one of the members of the family and was raised just like the couple's two children. This is how she attained the surname - Wheatley. John and Susanna convinced Phillis to study. Apart from mastering foreign languages, like Latin and Greek, Phillis also learned English, history, geography, religion and the Bible (from Mary - the couple's daughter). At Old South Meeting House, Phillis Wheatley was baptized into Christian religion.
Later Years
Phillis Wheatley wrote her first poem when she was thirteen years old. In 1768, she wrote another poem, 'To the King's Most Excellent Majesty', which was dedicated to George III, praising his decision for canceling the Stamp Act. Later, in 1770, after penning down a poem on the death of the evangelical preacher George Whitefield, she became an instant hit in Boston and received great admiration and acclaim for her work. However, her literary capabilities surprised many whites, for whom intelligence was not synonymous with black people.
Wheatley had to defend her literary ability in court and was inspected by a group of Boston luminaries. It was three years later, in 1773, that she gained her due as a poet. Though the publishers in Boston refused to publish her material, she was not disheartened. Wheatley, along with her master's son, Nathanial Wheatley, went to London, to get her book published. Selina, the Countess of Huntingdon, and the Earl of Dartmouth helped her get her book published. With the release of 'Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral', she became the first Africa-American woman to get a book published under his/her name.
'Poems on Various Subjects' featured thirty nine of Wheatley's poems. Her popularity grew by leaps and bound in United States and England. Apart from fame, the poetess also gained freedom from slavery, on October 18, 1773. Three years later, in the March of 1776, Wheatley gave a recital of her poetry, before General Washington. During the revolutionary war, she was strongly against slavery and enslaved labor. Wheatley was of the opinion that independence should be a right of each and every person in this world.
Writing Style
Phillis Wheatley's poems were mostly written in the elegiac poetry style, focusing on moral and religious subjects. Her writing style was also in sync with the type of oration taught to her by the women in her African American tribal group. Apart from the elegies, she had also written heroic couplets, poems dedicated to famous personalities and poetry focused on the theme of Christian salvation. Her poems mirror her religious and classical New England upbringing. Wheatley never centered her poems on the theme of racial equality. The only exception to this was the poem "On being brought from Africa to America".
Personal Life & Death
Phillis Wheatley married a free black grocer, named John Peters. The couple had three children, out of which two died as infants. After her husband left her, Wheatley earned her living as a seamstress and a poetess. In the December of 1784, she left for the heaven abode. Hours after her death, her third child also departed. At the time of her death, Wheatley was only 31 years old and had a second volume of poetry waiting to be published, as she had found no publishers willing to print it.
Honors
Phillis Wheatley's first book 'Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral' earned her rave reviews. She became the first African American poetess to publish a book, apart from being the most famous African on the face of the earth. Apart from this, she has many more firsts to her credit. Wheatley was the first African-American woman to earn a living from her writing and first woman writer encouraged and financed by a group of women (Mrs. Wheatley, Mary Wheatly, and Selina Hastings).
Wheatley was the first accomplished African-American woman of letters. She was honored by many of America's founding fathers, including George Washington. Her book, in the present time, is referred to as basis of the genre of African American literature, its source and inspiration. A building has been named in the honor of Phillis Wheatley at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She was also listed as one of the '100 Greatest African Americans', by scholar Molefi Kete Asante, in 2002.
Her Works
Poems
1767 - An Address to the Atheist and An Address to the Deist
1768 - To the King's Most Excellent Majesty
1769 - Atheism
1771 - An Elegaic Poem On the Death of that celebrated Divine, and eminent Servant of Jesus Christ, the Reverend and Learned Mr. George Whitefield
1772 - A Poem of the Death of Charles Eliot
1773 - Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (title page and frontispiece of 1773 edition), To His Honor the Lieutenant Governor on the death of his Lady, An Elegy, To Miss Mary Moorhead, On the Death of her Father, The Rev. Mr. John Moorhead
1784 - An Elegy, Sacred to the Memory of the Great Divine, the Reverend and the Learned Dr. Samuel Cooper, Liberty and Peace, A Poem
1802 - Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (title page and front matter of 1802 edition), To the Right and Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth (from Poems of Various Subjects, Religious and Moral - 1802 edition)
Books
1776 - To His Excellency George Washington
1834 - Memoir and Poems of Phillis Wheatley, a Native African and Slave (also by Margaretta Matilda Odell)
Timeline:
1753 - Phillis Wheatley was born
1761 - Abducted and taken to America in a slave ship
1766 - Wrote her first poem
1768 - Wrote the poem, 'To the King's Most Excellent Majesty'
1770 - Wrote a poem on the death of the evangelical preacher George Whitefield, Greatly acclaimed for her work
1773 - Gotfreedom from slavery, on the basis of her popularity as a poet in United States and England
1776 - Performed before General Washington
1784 - Left for the heavenly abode
Famous as First African American Poetess
Born in Gambia, Africa
Works & Achievements Phillis Wheatley was the author of the book 'Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral' which brought her not only freedom, but also recognition.
Phillis Wheatley is renowned as the first African-American poetess and the second African-American to get her/his book published. Her work is highly looked upon, today, as it marks the beginning of the genre of African-American literature. Though Wheatley was taken as a slave to America, her creative abilities could not be concealed for a long time. Her masters taught her to read and write and encouraged her to write poetry. Wheatley's poems not only brought her freedom, but also fame and recognition worldwide.
Early Life
Though the exact birth date of Phillis Wheatley is not known, it is assumed that she was born in the year 1753, in Gambia (today Senegal), Africa. In the year 1761, she was abducted and taken to America, in a slave ship named 'Phillis'. This was how she got her name, Phillis. Reaching Boston, she was purchased by a wealthy merchant, John Wheatley, who took her to work as a servant and an attendant to his wife, Susanna.
From being just a servant, Phillis became one of the members of the family and was raised just like the couple's two children. This is how she attained the surname - Wheatley. John and Susanna convinced Phillis to study. Apart from mastering foreign languages, like Latin and Greek, Phillis also learned English, history, geography, religion and the Bible (from Mary - the couple's daughter). At Old South Meeting House, Phillis Wheatley was baptized into Christian religion.
Later Years
Phillis Wheatley wrote her first poem when she was thirteen years old. In 1768, she wrote another poem, 'To the King's Most Excellent Majesty', which was dedicated to George III, praising his decision for canceling the Stamp Act. Later, in 1770, after penning down a poem on the death of the evangelical preacher George Whitefield, she became an instant hit in Boston and received great admiration and acclaim for her work. However, her literary capabilities surprised many whites, for whom intelligence was not synonymous with black people.
Wheatley had to defend her literary ability in court and was inspected by a group of Boston luminaries. It was three years later, in 1773, that she gained her due as a poet. Though the publishers in Boston refused to publish her material, she was not disheartened. Wheatley, along with her master's son, Nathanial Wheatley, went to London, to get her book published. Selina, the Countess of Huntingdon, and the Earl of Dartmouth helped her get her book published. With the release of 'Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral', she became the first Africa-American woman to get a book published under his/her name.
'Poems on Various Subjects' featured thirty nine of Wheatley's poems. Her popularity grew by leaps and bound in United States and England. Apart from fame, the poetess also gained freedom from slavery, on October 18, 1773. Three years later, in the March of 1776, Wheatley gave a recital of her poetry, before General Washington. During the revolutionary war, she was strongly against slavery and enslaved labor. Wheatley was of the opinion that independence should be a right of each and every person in this world.
Writing Style
Phillis Wheatley's poems were mostly written in the elegiac poetry style, focusing on moral and religious subjects. Her writing style was also in sync with the type of oration taught to her by the women in her African American tribal group. Apart from the elegies, she had also written heroic couplets, poems dedicated to famous personalities and poetry focused on the theme of Christian salvation. Her poems mirror her religious and classical New England upbringing. Wheatley never centered her poems on the theme of racial equality. The only exception to this was the poem "On being brought from Africa to America".
Personal Life & Death
Phillis Wheatley married a free black grocer, named John Peters. The couple had three children, out of which two died as infants. After her husband left her, Wheatley earned her living as a seamstress and a poetess. In the December of 1784, she left for the heaven abode. Hours after her death, her third child also departed. At the time of her death, Wheatley was only 31 years old and had a second volume of poetry waiting to be published, as she had found no publishers willing to print it.
Honors
Phillis Wheatley's first book 'Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral' earned her rave reviews. She became the first African American poetess to publish a book, apart from being the most famous African on the face of the earth. Apart from this, she has many more firsts to her credit. Wheatley was the first African-American woman to earn a living from her writing and first woman writer encouraged and financed by a group of women (Mrs. Wheatley, Mary Wheatly, and Selina Hastings).
Wheatley was the first accomplished African-American woman of letters. She was honored by many of America's founding fathers, including George Washington. Her book, in the present time, is referred to as basis of the genre of African American literature, its source and inspiration. A building has been named in the honor of Phillis Wheatley at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She was also listed as one of the '100 Greatest African Americans', by scholar Molefi Kete Asante, in 2002.
Her Works
Poems
1767 - An Address to the Atheist and An Address to the Deist
1768 - To the King's Most Excellent Majesty
1769 - Atheism
1771 - An Elegaic Poem On the Death of that celebrated Divine, and eminent Servant of Jesus Christ, the Reverend and Learned Mr. George Whitefield
1772 - A Poem of the Death of Charles Eliot
1773 - Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (title page and frontispiece of 1773 edition), To His Honor the Lieutenant Governor on the death of his Lady, An Elegy, To Miss Mary Moorhead, On the Death of her Father, The Rev. Mr. John Moorhead
1784 - An Elegy, Sacred to the Memory of the Great Divine, the Reverend and the Learned Dr. Samuel Cooper, Liberty and Peace, A Poem
1802 - Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (title page and front matter of 1802 edition), To the Right and Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth (from Poems of Various Subjects, Religious and Moral - 1802 edition)
Books
1776 - To His Excellency George Washington
1834 - Memoir and Poems of Phillis Wheatley, a Native African and Slave (also by Margaretta Matilda Odell)
Timeline:
1753 - Phillis Wheatley was born
1761 - Abducted and taken to America in a slave ship
1766 - Wrote her first poem
1768 - Wrote the poem, 'To the King's Most Excellent Majesty'
1770 - Wrote a poem on the death of the evangelical preacher George Whitefield, Greatly acclaimed for her work
1773 - Gotfreedom from slavery, on the basis of her popularity as a poet in United States and England
1776 - Performed before General Washington
1784 - Left for the heavenly abode
P B Shelley
P B Shelley
Famous as Romantic & Lyric Poet
Born on 04 August 1792
Born in Horsham, England
Died on 08 July 1822
Nationality United Kingdom
Works & Achievements The Revolt of Islam, The Masque of Anarchy and Men of England
Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the greatest contributors to the romantic poetry in the English language and author of the Prometheus Unbound and many other poems. Best known for his anthology works such as Ode to the West wind and To a Skylark, Shelley also wrote the most excellent lyric poems in the English language. The author is also known for his atheist views that became the central idea of him work The Necessity of Atheism, written and published in 1811, when he was still in the college. His major works mainly consist of lengthy and imaginative poems including Adonais, The Revolt of Islam and his unfinished poem The Triumph of Life. In his short but successful career, Shelley gained appreciation from eminent persons such as Karl Marx, Henry Stephens Salt and from other contemporary authors as well including eminent poet and friend Lord Byron.
Childhood & Education
Percy was born on 4 August 1792 in England to Sir Timothy Shelley and his life Elizabeth Pilfold and was the eldest of seven children born to them. His father Timothy was the Baronet of Castle Goring and a Whig member of parliament. After receiving his early schooling at home, Percy was admitted into the Syon House Academy of Brent ford in 1802 and two years later in 1804, Shelly went on to study at Eton College, Oxford University. Throughout his education, Percy remained an average student and his performance in academics could be hailed as 'poor and disappointing'.
In 1810, Percy matriculated from the University College. These years at Oxford were tough for him, as the college authority were not pleased with his subversive idealism and atheistic philosophy. His first work Zastrozzi, a Gothic novel, was published in 1810 followed by Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire in the same year. While at Oxford, he wrote Posthumous Fragments of Margaret Nicholson- a joint effort of Percy and Thomas Jefferson Hogg- which earned him the unfavorable attention of the college authorities.
However, the first work which would put him under fire from the college authorities was a pamphlet called The Necessity of Atheism, written and published in 1811. This resulted in his confrontation by the college administration and he was expelled from the college after his refusal to rebut the authorship of the book. He could have been reinstated on the condition of renouncing his atheistic views expressed in the pamphlet, which he again refused to do. End result of this was his final expulsion from the college on 25 March 1811 and fall-out with his father.
First Marriage
Now expelled from the college and estranged from his father, Shelley eloped to Scotland with a sixteen year old Harriet Westbrook. They married on 28 August 1811. Here Shelly attempted an open marriage with inviting his friend Hogg to their house, which led to an opposition from his wife Harriet and eventually demise of their marriage.
For the next three years he paid several visits to London where he became associated with an atheist and journalist William Godwin and eventually became involved with his daughter Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin. Unhappy in his first marriage, Shelly found Mary to be his intellectual equal at first instance and grew immensely close to her.
On 28 July 1814, Percy deserted his wife Harriet, who had given birth to their daughter Lanthe Shelley and was pregnant again, and eloped with Mary for a second time. They were accompanied by Mary's step sister Claire Clairmont to Switzerland where the three stayed for sometime before finally returning to England after few months. During this period, Shelley grew hugely impressed with the poems of Williams Wordsworth and wrote Alastor, the spirit of solitude in 1816 followed by History of Six Weeks Tour, which was published in 1817.
Second Marriage
In 1816, Shelley's previous wife Harriet killed herself by drowning in the Serpentine River in Hyde Park, London, living behind their son Charles Shelley. It was less than two months after her body was recovered when Shelley wedded Mary in a hastily arranged marriage with an intention to take custody of his son by Harriet. However it did not help him in any manner, as the children were handed over to foster parents. Now married to Mary, Shelley settled in Marlow, Buckinghamshire where he made acquaintances with people like Leigh Hunt and John Keats.
Notable Works
After his marriage to Mary, Percy became acquaintance with the great poet Lord Byron and the two consolidated a strong friendship which would last until his death. In a company of more famous and established poet, Shelley was motivated to write his Hymn to intellectual Beauty, which was his first landmark success as a poet. His friendship with Byron proved to be constructive for his career and he continued to write fiercely. During this period he wrote a poem Mont Blanc in which he spoke of the relationship between human mind and natural creations.
After initial success, he produced some major work this time including two long poems Laon and Cythna in which he again expresses his atheistic views through its characters. After being objected t for its contemptuous content, the original copies were withdrawn from the market and an edited version of it appeared entitled as The Revolt of Islam in 1818. Shelley embarked on writing political pieces with the publication of nom de plume and The Hermit of Marlowe.
Later Life
In 1818, The Shelley couple moved to Italy where their son Percy Florence Shelley was born a year later in 1819. Lord Byron, who was in Venice at that time, inspired the poet to write once again and Shelley produced Julian and Maddalo, an account of his travel and association with Byron. Once again, he began writing long verses and finished his first drams Prometheus Unbound, which was based on a lost play initially written by the Greek Poet Aeschylus. In 1819, Shelley embarked on writing a tragedy poem The Cenci and completed his two best known poems in 19th century, which were based on political theme- The Masque of Anarchy and Men of England. However, his first great success in this genre came with the essay called The Philosophical View of Reform.
Death
In his later life, Shelley planned to set up a magazine The Liberal with the support from his lifelong friends Leigh Hunt and Lord Byron. However, the fate had something else for him and he drowned in a storm on 8 July 1822 while sailing back from Livorno in his boat Don Juan. He was cremated on the beach near Viareggio. He had not even reached the 30th year of his life at that time. His body was found offshore and decomposed beyond recognition, which led to several speculations regarding his death; however, the mystery of his death remains unsolved.
Timeline:
1792- Percy was born on 4 August 1792.
1802- Percy was admitted into the Syon House Academy of Brent ford in 1802.
1804- Shelly went on to study at Eton College, Oxford University.
1810- He matriculated from the University.
1811- Shelley was expelled from Oxford.
1811- A pamphlet called The Necessity of Atheism was written and published by Shelley.
1811- Shelley married his first wife Harriet Westbrook in on 28 August.
1814- On 28 July 1814, Percy deserted his wife Harriet and daughter Lanthe.
1816- He wrote Alastor, the spirit of solitude in 1816.
1817- The History of Six Weeks Tour was published in 1817.
1816- Shelley's previous wife Harriet drowned herself.
1818- The Shelley couple moved to Italy.
1818- The Revolt of Islam was published in 1818.
1819- Their son Percy Florence Shelley was born in 1819.
1819- Shelley embarked on writing a tragedy poem The Cenci.
1822- Percy Shelley drowned in a storm on 8 July 1822.
Famous as Romantic & Lyric Poet
Born on 04 August 1792
Born in Horsham, England
Died on 08 July 1822
Nationality United Kingdom
Works & Achievements The Revolt of Islam, The Masque of Anarchy and Men of England
Percy Bysshe Shelley was one of the greatest contributors to the romantic poetry in the English language and author of the Prometheus Unbound and many other poems. Best known for his anthology works such as Ode to the West wind and To a Skylark, Shelley also wrote the most excellent lyric poems in the English language. The author is also known for his atheist views that became the central idea of him work The Necessity of Atheism, written and published in 1811, when he was still in the college. His major works mainly consist of lengthy and imaginative poems including Adonais, The Revolt of Islam and his unfinished poem The Triumph of Life. In his short but successful career, Shelley gained appreciation from eminent persons such as Karl Marx, Henry Stephens Salt and from other contemporary authors as well including eminent poet and friend Lord Byron.
Childhood & Education
Percy was born on 4 August 1792 in England to Sir Timothy Shelley and his life Elizabeth Pilfold and was the eldest of seven children born to them. His father Timothy was the Baronet of Castle Goring and a Whig member of parliament. After receiving his early schooling at home, Percy was admitted into the Syon House Academy of Brent ford in 1802 and two years later in 1804, Shelly went on to study at Eton College, Oxford University. Throughout his education, Percy remained an average student and his performance in academics could be hailed as 'poor and disappointing'.
In 1810, Percy matriculated from the University College. These years at Oxford were tough for him, as the college authority were not pleased with his subversive idealism and atheistic philosophy. His first work Zastrozzi, a Gothic novel, was published in 1810 followed by Original Poetry by Victor and Cazire in the same year. While at Oxford, he wrote Posthumous Fragments of Margaret Nicholson- a joint effort of Percy and Thomas Jefferson Hogg- which earned him the unfavorable attention of the college authorities.
However, the first work which would put him under fire from the college authorities was a pamphlet called The Necessity of Atheism, written and published in 1811. This resulted in his confrontation by the college administration and he was expelled from the college after his refusal to rebut the authorship of the book. He could have been reinstated on the condition of renouncing his atheistic views expressed in the pamphlet, which he again refused to do. End result of this was his final expulsion from the college on 25 March 1811 and fall-out with his father.
First Marriage
Now expelled from the college and estranged from his father, Shelley eloped to Scotland with a sixteen year old Harriet Westbrook. They married on 28 August 1811. Here Shelly attempted an open marriage with inviting his friend Hogg to their house, which led to an opposition from his wife Harriet and eventually demise of their marriage.
For the next three years he paid several visits to London where he became associated with an atheist and journalist William Godwin and eventually became involved with his daughter Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin. Unhappy in his first marriage, Shelly found Mary to be his intellectual equal at first instance and grew immensely close to her.
On 28 July 1814, Percy deserted his wife Harriet, who had given birth to their daughter Lanthe Shelley and was pregnant again, and eloped with Mary for a second time. They were accompanied by Mary's step sister Claire Clairmont to Switzerland where the three stayed for sometime before finally returning to England after few months. During this period, Shelley grew hugely impressed with the poems of Williams Wordsworth and wrote Alastor, the spirit of solitude in 1816 followed by History of Six Weeks Tour, which was published in 1817.
Second Marriage
In 1816, Shelley's previous wife Harriet killed herself by drowning in the Serpentine River in Hyde Park, London, living behind their son Charles Shelley. It was less than two months after her body was recovered when Shelley wedded Mary in a hastily arranged marriage with an intention to take custody of his son by Harriet. However it did not help him in any manner, as the children were handed over to foster parents. Now married to Mary, Shelley settled in Marlow, Buckinghamshire where he made acquaintances with people like Leigh Hunt and John Keats.
Notable Works
After his marriage to Mary, Percy became acquaintance with the great poet Lord Byron and the two consolidated a strong friendship which would last until his death. In a company of more famous and established poet, Shelley was motivated to write his Hymn to intellectual Beauty, which was his first landmark success as a poet. His friendship with Byron proved to be constructive for his career and he continued to write fiercely. During this period he wrote a poem Mont Blanc in which he spoke of the relationship between human mind and natural creations.
After initial success, he produced some major work this time including two long poems Laon and Cythna in which he again expresses his atheistic views through its characters. After being objected t for its contemptuous content, the original copies were withdrawn from the market and an edited version of it appeared entitled as The Revolt of Islam in 1818. Shelley embarked on writing political pieces with the publication of nom de plume and The Hermit of Marlowe.
Later Life
In 1818, The Shelley couple moved to Italy where their son Percy Florence Shelley was born a year later in 1819. Lord Byron, who was in Venice at that time, inspired the poet to write once again and Shelley produced Julian and Maddalo, an account of his travel and association with Byron. Once again, he began writing long verses and finished his first drams Prometheus Unbound, which was based on a lost play initially written by the Greek Poet Aeschylus. In 1819, Shelley embarked on writing a tragedy poem The Cenci and completed his two best known poems in 19th century, which were based on political theme- The Masque of Anarchy and Men of England. However, his first great success in this genre came with the essay called The Philosophical View of Reform.
Death
In his later life, Shelley planned to set up a magazine The Liberal with the support from his lifelong friends Leigh Hunt and Lord Byron. However, the fate had something else for him and he drowned in a storm on 8 July 1822 while sailing back from Livorno in his boat Don Juan. He was cremated on the beach near Viareggio. He had not even reached the 30th year of his life at that time. His body was found offshore and decomposed beyond recognition, which led to several speculations regarding his death; however, the mystery of his death remains unsolved.
Timeline:
1792- Percy was born on 4 August 1792.
1802- Percy was admitted into the Syon House Academy of Brent ford in 1802.
1804- Shelly went on to study at Eton College, Oxford University.
1810- He matriculated from the University.
1811- Shelley was expelled from Oxford.
1811- A pamphlet called The Necessity of Atheism was written and published by Shelley.
1811- Shelley married his first wife Harriet Westbrook in on 28 August.
1814- On 28 July 1814, Percy deserted his wife Harriet and daughter Lanthe.
1816- He wrote Alastor, the spirit of solitude in 1816.
1817- The History of Six Weeks Tour was published in 1817.
1816- Shelley's previous wife Harriet drowned herself.
1818- The Shelley couple moved to Italy.
1818- The Revolt of Islam was published in 1818.
1819- Their son Percy Florence Shelley was born in 1819.
1819- Shelley embarked on writing a tragedy poem The Cenci.
1822- Percy Shelley drowned in a storm on 8 July 1822.
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde
Famous as Playwright, Poet and Author
Born on 16 October 1854
Born in Dublin, Ireland
Died on 30 Novomber 1900
Nationality Ireland
Works & Achievements The Importance of Being Earnest
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde, better known as Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet, author and one of the most successful playwrights of the Victorian Era. Many of his plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest and Salome are translated in to foreign languages and are adopted into films and poems written by him made their presence in the list of bestsellers of his time and still continue to be read worldwide. The most celebrated novelist and author of his time, Oscar Wilde was appreciated by and acquainted with many influential artists of the day including English author John Ruskin, American poet Walt Whitman and George Bernard Shaw. Wilde witnessed an ill-fated downfall in 1985, when the author was arrested and imprisoned on account of his iniquitous homosexuality that made him leave his country for ever. He was also harshly criticized for his outspoken atheism and active role in atheistic movements in the country.
Childhood & Education
Born on 16 October 1854 in Ireland, Oscar Wilde was the second son of his Anglo-Irish parents. His father Sir William Wilde was a successful eye-ear surgeon in Ireland and his mother Jane Francesca Wilde was a renowned writer and poet of her time. Sir William Wilde, a philanthropist, was knighted in 1864 for his remarkable work in medicine. A widely read and learned person; he wrote books on archaeology and folklore and was the founder of the Dublin Eye and Ear Hospital. In 1855, Oscar’s family moved to Merrion Square where his sister Isola was born after one year in 1856.
After initial schooling at home, Oscar went on to study at Portora Royal School in Fermanagh. Upon leaving the school, he enrolled in the Trinity College in Dublin in 1871 and studied classics with his elder brother Willie Wilde for two years. A devoted student and outstanding performer Oscar was, he won the Berkeley Gold Medal at Trinity and was awarded a scholarship to the Oxford University. He studied there from 1874 to 1878 and became involved with the Atheistic movement. While at Oxford, he recited his first poem in 1878 for which he was awarded the Newdigate Prize. In the same year, he graduated with a double first in classical moderations. His first collection of poetries titled as Poems was published in 1881.
Marriage & Family
It was after graduating from Oxford, when he met and courted Florence Balcombe. However, when she rejected his proposal to marriage, Oscar left Ireland permanently in 1878. In 1884, he met Constance Lloyd in London and fell in love with her. They married on 29 May 1884 and the couple had two sons Cyril, who was born in 1885 and Vyvyan, who arrived the next year in 1886. Constance died in 1898 after a spinal surgery and was buried in Staglieno Cemetery in Genoa, Italy. After the arrest of Oscar, she had her hand their son’s last name changed to ‘Holland’. His elder son Cyril was killed in France during the World War I. Oscar’s second son Vyvyan, who also served in the war, became an author following his father’s footprints and penned his memoir Son of Oscar Wilde in 1954.
Aestheticism
Wilde was involved in aesthetic and decadent movements during his days at Oxford and since then became well known for his scandalous acts. His views on aestheticism were influenced by the contemporary writers John Ruskin and Walter Pater who advocated for and preached the central importance of art in one’s life. Now an important personality and a principle aesthete, Oscar began to teach Aesthetic Values in London in 1879.Though he was often scoffed at for his aestheticism and was targeted by his critics, his sayings-sometimes outrageous- became popular. During 1887-1889 he worked as a reviewer for the Pall Mall Gazette and soon after he was appointed the editor of The Woman’s World.
Sexuality & Relationships
Oscar Wilde’s sexual orientation has been considered homosexual or bisexual. He first acknowledged this during his Oxford Days and since then he developed several ‘passionate and scandulous’ relationship with his mates and colleagues. The most prominent among them was with Lord Alfred Douglas, a junior at Oxford. The two developed a tumultuous relation that would eventually lead to the downfall of Oscar Wilde who did not try to conceal his sexual interest and openly lived with him for years. They even went as far as to come out with a ‘Law Reform’ appeal with other upper class supporters who suggested making homosexuality legal. However, their effort went unheeded.
Downfall and Imprisonment
Alfred had a turbulent relationship with his father John Douglas, who took offence at the growing intimacy between Oscar and his son. He disapproved of their living together and often confronted Oscar who successfully placated him each time when confronted. John was determined to end their contemptuous relationship and embarked on ruining Oscar’s image. It was the opening night of The Importance of Being Earnest, when John planned to publicly expose and humiliate him and did so going as far as calling him by obscene names in public. Wilde filed a case against him and had John arrested for a brief period. He was later freed on bail and this time he fall pry into his own trap. The legal committee became inquisitive of his association with male prostitutes, Alfred, and others as the lofty details of Wilde’s lifestyle began to come out in the light.
His first trial was scheduled for 3rd April 1895. After a series of cross questioning and examination the evidences, trial was ended without a verdict. In his final trial, which was on 25 May 1895, Wilde was convicted of Homosexuality-a gross indecency- and given a two-year sentence with hard labor. By this time, he had Alfred out of the country despite his constant resistance and willingness to take a stand for him. Wilde was imprisoned in Pentonville and sent to Wands worth and then finally to Reading prison, a place 30 miles west of London. While in prison, Wilde wrote a 50,000 word-long letter addressed to Douglas, which he gave to his friend Robert Ross on his release. A heavily edited form of the letter was published in 1905. Further, Vyvyan published it again in 1999, though its first complete and unedited version was published in 1962, titled as The Letters of Oscar Wilde.
Release & Death
Oscar Wilde was released on 19 May 1897 after which he took a self exile from society, though he did not end his association with his male friends including Canadian journalist Robert Ross. Now adapting the name Sebastian Melmoth, he settled in Paris and reunited with his previous social circle.
Oscar Wilde died of Meningitis on 30 November 1900 and he now rests in Pe`re Lachaise Cemetery in Paris where Robert Ross’s ashes were added in the angel-adorned tomb after his death. Oscar was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church by Robert Ross before his death.
Timeline:
1854- Oscar Wilde was born on 16 October.
1855- Oscar’s family moved to Merrion Square.
1856- His sister Isola was born.
1871- He enrolled in the Trinity College in Dublin.
1874- He went on to study at Oxford.
1878- Oscar won Newdigate prize for his poem.
1878- He received his graduation degree with first class.
1878- Wilde left Ireland permanently.
1879- Oscar began to teach Aesthetic Values in London.
1881- His first collection of poems was published.
1884- He met Constance Lloyd and they married on 29 May.
1887- He began working as a reviewer for the Pall Mall Gazette.
1895- His first trial was scheduled for 3rd April.
1895- Wilde was convicted of Homosexuality and sentenced to two years imprisonment.
1905- His letters to Douglas were published.
1962- The Letters of Oscar Wilde was published.
1897- Oscar Wilde was released on 19 May.
1900- Oscar Wilde died of Meningitis on 30 November.
1954- His son Vyvyan penned his memoir Son of Oscar Wilde.
Famous as Playwright, Poet and Author
Born on 16 October 1854
Born in Dublin, Ireland
Died on 30 Novomber 1900
Nationality Ireland
Works & Achievements The Importance of Being Earnest
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde, better known as Oscar Wilde was an Irish poet, author and one of the most successful playwrights of the Victorian Era. Many of his plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest and Salome are translated in to foreign languages and are adopted into films and poems written by him made their presence in the list of bestsellers of his time and still continue to be read worldwide. The most celebrated novelist and author of his time, Oscar Wilde was appreciated by and acquainted with many influential artists of the day including English author John Ruskin, American poet Walt Whitman and George Bernard Shaw. Wilde witnessed an ill-fated downfall in 1985, when the author was arrested and imprisoned on account of his iniquitous homosexuality that made him leave his country for ever. He was also harshly criticized for his outspoken atheism and active role in atheistic movements in the country.
Childhood & Education
Born on 16 October 1854 in Ireland, Oscar Wilde was the second son of his Anglo-Irish parents. His father Sir William Wilde was a successful eye-ear surgeon in Ireland and his mother Jane Francesca Wilde was a renowned writer and poet of her time. Sir William Wilde, a philanthropist, was knighted in 1864 for his remarkable work in medicine. A widely read and learned person; he wrote books on archaeology and folklore and was the founder of the Dublin Eye and Ear Hospital. In 1855, Oscar’s family moved to Merrion Square where his sister Isola was born after one year in 1856.
After initial schooling at home, Oscar went on to study at Portora Royal School in Fermanagh. Upon leaving the school, he enrolled in the Trinity College in Dublin in 1871 and studied classics with his elder brother Willie Wilde for two years. A devoted student and outstanding performer Oscar was, he won the Berkeley Gold Medal at Trinity and was awarded a scholarship to the Oxford University. He studied there from 1874 to 1878 and became involved with the Atheistic movement. While at Oxford, he recited his first poem in 1878 for which he was awarded the Newdigate Prize. In the same year, he graduated with a double first in classical moderations. His first collection of poetries titled as Poems was published in 1881.
Marriage & Family
It was after graduating from Oxford, when he met and courted Florence Balcombe. However, when she rejected his proposal to marriage, Oscar left Ireland permanently in 1878. In 1884, he met Constance Lloyd in London and fell in love with her. They married on 29 May 1884 and the couple had two sons Cyril, who was born in 1885 and Vyvyan, who arrived the next year in 1886. Constance died in 1898 after a spinal surgery and was buried in Staglieno Cemetery in Genoa, Italy. After the arrest of Oscar, she had her hand their son’s last name changed to ‘Holland’. His elder son Cyril was killed in France during the World War I. Oscar’s second son Vyvyan, who also served in the war, became an author following his father’s footprints and penned his memoir Son of Oscar Wilde in 1954.
Aestheticism
Wilde was involved in aesthetic and decadent movements during his days at Oxford and since then became well known for his scandalous acts. His views on aestheticism were influenced by the contemporary writers John Ruskin and Walter Pater who advocated for and preached the central importance of art in one’s life. Now an important personality and a principle aesthete, Oscar began to teach Aesthetic Values in London in 1879.Though he was often scoffed at for his aestheticism and was targeted by his critics, his sayings-sometimes outrageous- became popular. During 1887-1889 he worked as a reviewer for the Pall Mall Gazette and soon after he was appointed the editor of The Woman’s World.
Sexuality & Relationships
Oscar Wilde’s sexual orientation has been considered homosexual or bisexual. He first acknowledged this during his Oxford Days and since then he developed several ‘passionate and scandulous’ relationship with his mates and colleagues. The most prominent among them was with Lord Alfred Douglas, a junior at Oxford. The two developed a tumultuous relation that would eventually lead to the downfall of Oscar Wilde who did not try to conceal his sexual interest and openly lived with him for years. They even went as far as to come out with a ‘Law Reform’ appeal with other upper class supporters who suggested making homosexuality legal. However, their effort went unheeded.
Downfall and Imprisonment
Alfred had a turbulent relationship with his father John Douglas, who took offence at the growing intimacy between Oscar and his son. He disapproved of their living together and often confronted Oscar who successfully placated him each time when confronted. John was determined to end their contemptuous relationship and embarked on ruining Oscar’s image. It was the opening night of The Importance of Being Earnest, when John planned to publicly expose and humiliate him and did so going as far as calling him by obscene names in public. Wilde filed a case against him and had John arrested for a brief period. He was later freed on bail and this time he fall pry into his own trap. The legal committee became inquisitive of his association with male prostitutes, Alfred, and others as the lofty details of Wilde’s lifestyle began to come out in the light.
His first trial was scheduled for 3rd April 1895. After a series of cross questioning and examination the evidences, trial was ended without a verdict. In his final trial, which was on 25 May 1895, Wilde was convicted of Homosexuality-a gross indecency- and given a two-year sentence with hard labor. By this time, he had Alfred out of the country despite his constant resistance and willingness to take a stand for him. Wilde was imprisoned in Pentonville and sent to Wands worth and then finally to Reading prison, a place 30 miles west of London. While in prison, Wilde wrote a 50,000 word-long letter addressed to Douglas, which he gave to his friend Robert Ross on his release. A heavily edited form of the letter was published in 1905. Further, Vyvyan published it again in 1999, though its first complete and unedited version was published in 1962, titled as The Letters of Oscar Wilde.
Release & Death
Oscar Wilde was released on 19 May 1897 after which he took a self exile from society, though he did not end his association with his male friends including Canadian journalist Robert Ross. Now adapting the name Sebastian Melmoth, he settled in Paris and reunited with his previous social circle.
Oscar Wilde died of Meningitis on 30 November 1900 and he now rests in Pe`re Lachaise Cemetery in Paris where Robert Ross’s ashes were added in the angel-adorned tomb after his death. Oscar was baptized into the Roman Catholic Church by Robert Ross before his death.
Timeline:
1854- Oscar Wilde was born on 16 October.
1855- Oscar’s family moved to Merrion Square.
1856- His sister Isola was born.
1871- He enrolled in the Trinity College in Dublin.
1874- He went on to study at Oxford.
1878- Oscar won Newdigate prize for his poem.
1878- He received his graduation degree with first class.
1878- Wilde left Ireland permanently.
1879- Oscar began to teach Aesthetic Values in London.
1881- His first collection of poems was published.
1884- He met Constance Lloyd and they married on 29 May.
1887- He began working as a reviewer for the Pall Mall Gazette.
1895- His first trial was scheduled for 3rd April.
1895- Wilde was convicted of Homosexuality and sentenced to two years imprisonment.
1905- His letters to Douglas were published.
1962- The Letters of Oscar Wilde was published.
1897- Oscar Wilde was released on 19 May.
1900- Oscar Wilde died of Meningitis on 30 November.
1954- His son Vyvyan penned his memoir Son of Oscar Wilde.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Famous as Author and Humorist
Born on 30 Novomber 1835
Born in Florida, the United States
Died on 21 April 1910
Nationality United States
Works & Achievements Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author, essayist, lecturer and humorist who wrote a series of famous books including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark's first important work, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County was first published in the New York Saturday Press and became a bestseller within a short span of time. He also wrote a series of travelogues including the bestselling The Innocents Abroad- that came in 1869- and notable short stories such as Advice for Little Girls and The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County which earned him the worldwide fame and appreciation as a writer. Most of all, the author is known for his notable and insightful satires that gained him reverence from both critics as well as his contemporaries who call him the 'father of the English literature'.
Childhood & Early Life
Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born on November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri in the United States. He was the sixth of seven children of his father, a country merchant John Marshall Clemens and mother Jane Lampton Clemens and only three of his siblings could survive into their adulthood. At age four, Mark along with his family, moved to a port town Hannibal, situated on the bank of world’s second largest river Mississippi.
Mark’s father John Clemens died of pneumonia in 1847, and the family was left in financial upheaval. An eleven year old Mark took a job of typesetter in 1851, to aid the family during its hard pressed finance and began contributing articles and humorous sketches for the Hannibal Journal a newspaper run by his brother Orion. At age 18, Mark twain left this job and became a printer in New York City.
As a child, Mark Twain received no formal schooling, but a keen learner, he widened his circle of knowledge by finding information in public libraries. It was his traveling to New Orleans in 1857, that he grew immensely fascinated with the steamboats and became an apprentice cub river pilot, earning his license in 1858. While working as a successful river pilot, he developed a huge attachment for the river, which would become a subject of his books in later life. He lost his brother Henry in 1858, who was also working with him on the boat.
Travels and Early Career
With the outbreak of Civil War in 1861, route on the Mississippi was blocked and he had to move to the silver mining town of the Carson City with his brother Orion. They traveled to the Rocky Mountains and many places including the Mormon community in Salt Lake City and ending at the silver mining town of Virginia City, Nevada. Here Mark experimented with the work of mining but failed miserably and finally got a job at a Virginia City newspaper, the Territorial Enterprise. In year 1863, Mark wrote the first humorous account of his travel.
Mark next journeyed to San Francisco, where he began to work as a journalist and lecturer. In 1867, he traveled to Europe and the Middle East and wrote a collection of travel letters in 1869, which became known as The Innocents Abroad. He wrote some notable short stories during this period including Advice for Little Girls and The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County.
Marriage & Family
Mark Twain first met Olivia Livy Langdon in 1868 and they married after two years in February 1870. The marriage proved to be contributing towards his career and he met many writers and socialists through his wife, who came from a wealthy but liberal family. The couple settled in Buffalo in New York for sometime where he became an editor in the Buffalo Express. Here their first child, a son, was born who died of diphtheria at 19 months. In 1871, they moved to Hartford, Connecticut where Olivia gave birth to three daughters: Susy, Clara and Jean. Only Clara could survive her twenties and lived to the age of eighty eight.
Mark Twain as a Writer
Twain as a writer initiated with humorous and light verse but embarked on more serious and harsh subjects in his later career. His one of the important works in this category was Huckleberry Finn, which combined humor and social criticism. Aside from this, he wrote several travelogues and lectures. A Tramp Abroad(1880), his first travelogue and a satirical account of his travels to Germany, Italy and the Alps, was a sequel to his early work Innocent abroad and was next followed by The Prince and the Pauper in 1882. Mark wrote his first important work, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County In year 1865, which was first published in the New York Saturday Press and became a bestseller within a short span of time. Yet many of his work were suppressed, censored or banned in America for various reasons. In 1888, Mark Twain was awarded the Master of Art degree from Yale University.
Later Life
Towards the end of his life, Mark Twain traveled and lectured actively. During this period he lost money in many bad investment schemes like mining and printing machines thus acquiring a huge debt. In 1895, he set off on a world tour to Australia, Canada, India and New Zealand and only returned when he was able to pay off the debt. Though he suffered from many losses in his personal life, he never lost his sense of humor and talent as a writer. Meanwhile, he had written the famous series Tom Sawyer Abroad in 1894 followed by Tom Sawyer, Detective in 1896. Mark suffered from yet another emotional set back when his daughter Susy died of meningitis in 1896. Olivia’s death in 1904 and Jean’s death in 1909 further deepened his pain and left him in the depth of despair.
In 1901, Yale University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters degree for his literary efforts and he received the same award from Oxford University in 1907. The same year, he published two books- A Horse’s Tale and Christian Science. Now a celebrated novelist and much more admired author, he enjoyed a huge section of followers and wrote around thirty books, essays and short stories. He was also a guest of the then American president Theodore Roosevelt at the White House. After the death of his wife and daughter Susy, Mark moved to his home in Redding, Connecticut in 1908.
Death
Mark Twain died of a heart attack on 21 April 1910 in Redding in Connecticut and now rests at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira, New York, where his wife and other children were buried. He was survived by his daughter Clara.
Timeline:
1835- Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born on 30 November 1835.
1847- Mark’s father John Clemens died of pneumonia in 1847.
1851- Mark took a job of typesetter in 1851.
1857- He traveled to New Orleans and became an apprentice cub river pilot.
1858- He earned his license as a pilot.
1863- Mark wrote the first humorous account of his travel.
1867- He traveled to Europe and the Middle East.
1869- He wrote first travels letters, known as the Innocent Abroad.
1868- Mark Twain first met Olivia Livy Langdon in 1868.
1870- Mark married Olivia in 1870.
1871- They moved to Hartford.
1888- Mark Twain was awarded the Master of Art degree from Yale University.
1895- He set off on a world tour to Australia, Canada, India and New Zealand.
1896- His daughter Susy died of meningitis in 1896.
1901- Yale University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters degree.
1904- His wife Olivia died.
1907- He received the same award from Oxford University in 1907.
1908- Mark moved to his home in Redding, Connecticut in 1908.
1909- His daughter Jean died in 1909.
1910- Mark twain died of a heart attack on 21 April 1910.
Famous as Author and Humorist
Born on 30 Novomber 1835
Born in Florida, the United States
Died on 21 April 1910
Nationality United States
Works & Achievements Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author, essayist, lecturer and humorist who wrote a series of famous books including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Mark's first important work, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County was first published in the New York Saturday Press and became a bestseller within a short span of time. He also wrote a series of travelogues including the bestselling The Innocents Abroad- that came in 1869- and notable short stories such as Advice for Little Girls and The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County which earned him the worldwide fame and appreciation as a writer. Most of all, the author is known for his notable and insightful satires that gained him reverence from both critics as well as his contemporaries who call him the 'father of the English literature'.
Childhood & Early Life
Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born on November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri in the United States. He was the sixth of seven children of his father, a country merchant John Marshall Clemens and mother Jane Lampton Clemens and only three of his siblings could survive into their adulthood. At age four, Mark along with his family, moved to a port town Hannibal, situated on the bank of world’s second largest river Mississippi.
Mark’s father John Clemens died of pneumonia in 1847, and the family was left in financial upheaval. An eleven year old Mark took a job of typesetter in 1851, to aid the family during its hard pressed finance and began contributing articles and humorous sketches for the Hannibal Journal a newspaper run by his brother Orion. At age 18, Mark twain left this job and became a printer in New York City.
As a child, Mark Twain received no formal schooling, but a keen learner, he widened his circle of knowledge by finding information in public libraries. It was his traveling to New Orleans in 1857, that he grew immensely fascinated with the steamboats and became an apprentice cub river pilot, earning his license in 1858. While working as a successful river pilot, he developed a huge attachment for the river, which would become a subject of his books in later life. He lost his brother Henry in 1858, who was also working with him on the boat.
Travels and Early Career
With the outbreak of Civil War in 1861, route on the Mississippi was blocked and he had to move to the silver mining town of the Carson City with his brother Orion. They traveled to the Rocky Mountains and many places including the Mormon community in Salt Lake City and ending at the silver mining town of Virginia City, Nevada. Here Mark experimented with the work of mining but failed miserably and finally got a job at a Virginia City newspaper, the Territorial Enterprise. In year 1863, Mark wrote the first humorous account of his travel.
Mark next journeyed to San Francisco, where he began to work as a journalist and lecturer. In 1867, he traveled to Europe and the Middle East and wrote a collection of travel letters in 1869, which became known as The Innocents Abroad. He wrote some notable short stories during this period including Advice for Little Girls and The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County.
Marriage & Family
Mark Twain first met Olivia Livy Langdon in 1868 and they married after two years in February 1870. The marriage proved to be contributing towards his career and he met many writers and socialists through his wife, who came from a wealthy but liberal family. The couple settled in Buffalo in New York for sometime where he became an editor in the Buffalo Express. Here their first child, a son, was born who died of diphtheria at 19 months. In 1871, they moved to Hartford, Connecticut where Olivia gave birth to three daughters: Susy, Clara and Jean. Only Clara could survive her twenties and lived to the age of eighty eight.
Mark Twain as a Writer
Twain as a writer initiated with humorous and light verse but embarked on more serious and harsh subjects in his later career. His one of the important works in this category was Huckleberry Finn, which combined humor and social criticism. Aside from this, he wrote several travelogues and lectures. A Tramp Abroad(1880), his first travelogue and a satirical account of his travels to Germany, Italy and the Alps, was a sequel to his early work Innocent abroad and was next followed by The Prince and the Pauper in 1882. Mark wrote his first important work, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County In year 1865, which was first published in the New York Saturday Press and became a bestseller within a short span of time. Yet many of his work were suppressed, censored or banned in America for various reasons. In 1888, Mark Twain was awarded the Master of Art degree from Yale University.
Later Life
Towards the end of his life, Mark Twain traveled and lectured actively. During this period he lost money in many bad investment schemes like mining and printing machines thus acquiring a huge debt. In 1895, he set off on a world tour to Australia, Canada, India and New Zealand and only returned when he was able to pay off the debt. Though he suffered from many losses in his personal life, he never lost his sense of humor and talent as a writer. Meanwhile, he had written the famous series Tom Sawyer Abroad in 1894 followed by Tom Sawyer, Detective in 1896. Mark suffered from yet another emotional set back when his daughter Susy died of meningitis in 1896. Olivia’s death in 1904 and Jean’s death in 1909 further deepened his pain and left him in the depth of despair.
In 1901, Yale University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters degree for his literary efforts and he received the same award from Oxford University in 1907. The same year, he published two books- A Horse’s Tale and Christian Science. Now a celebrated novelist and much more admired author, he enjoyed a huge section of followers and wrote around thirty books, essays and short stories. He was also a guest of the then American president Theodore Roosevelt at the White House. After the death of his wife and daughter Susy, Mark moved to his home in Redding, Connecticut in 1908.
Death
Mark Twain died of a heart attack on 21 April 1910 in Redding in Connecticut and now rests at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira, New York, where his wife and other children were buried. He was survived by his daughter Clara.
Timeline:
1835- Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born on 30 November 1835.
1847- Mark’s father John Clemens died of pneumonia in 1847.
1851- Mark took a job of typesetter in 1851.
1857- He traveled to New Orleans and became an apprentice cub river pilot.
1858- He earned his license as a pilot.
1863- Mark wrote the first humorous account of his travel.
1867- He traveled to Europe and the Middle East.
1869- He wrote first travels letters, known as the Innocent Abroad.
1868- Mark Twain first met Olivia Livy Langdon in 1868.
1870- Mark married Olivia in 1870.
1871- They moved to Hartford.
1888- Mark Twain was awarded the Master of Art degree from Yale University.
1895- He set off on a world tour to Australia, Canada, India and New Zealand.
1896- His daughter Susy died of meningitis in 1896.
1901- Yale University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters degree.
1904- His wife Olivia died.
1907- He received the same award from Oxford University in 1907.
1908- Mark moved to his home in Redding, Connecticut in 1908.
1909- His daughter Jean died in 1909.
1910- Mark twain died of a heart attack on 21 April 1910.
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