About
George Meredith (1828-1909) was an English novelist and poet, a major figure of Victorian literature. A pioneer of the psychological novel, he is known for his subtle analyses of emotions and brilliant dialogues. His major work, Modern Love (1862), explores the breakdown of a marriage. His novels, including The Egoist (1879), combine comedy and psychological depth. He also worked as a publisher's reader for Chapman and Hall, encouraging authors like Thomas Hardy. His poem 'The Lark Ascending' inspired Vaughan Williams' orchestral piece. A member of the Order of Merit, he influenced modern writers such as Virginia Woolf and D.H. Lawrence.
* 1828-02-12 — † 1909-05-18
Major works
- The Ordeal of Richard Feverel (1859)novel
- Modern Love (1862)poetry
- The Egoist (1879)novel
- Diana of the Crossways (1885)novel
- An Essay on Comedy and the Uses of the Comic Spirit (1877)essay
Key milestones
- 1849Married Mary Ellen Nicolls, daughter of Thomas Love Peacock.
- 1862Published Modern Love, a sonnet sequence about the breakdown of his first marriage.
- 1905Appointed to the Order of Merit by King Edward VII.
Themes
Character psychologyComedy and critical spiritMarriage and love relationshipsNature and transcendenceRole of the artist in society
Sources: britannica.com · poetryfoundation.org