Thomas Hardy

Early Life and Background

Thomas Hardy was a renowned English novelist and poet who made significant contributions to literature during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. He was born in a small village called Higher Bockhampton near Dorchester, Dorset, England, on June 2, 1840. Hardy is best known for his novels, including “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”, “Far from the Madding Crowd”, and “The Mayor of Casterbridge”.

Humble Beginnings

Hardy was born into a humble family of stonemasons, where he was encouraged to read and learn from an early age. He attended local schools and later studied at King’s College, London. It was during this time that he developed an interest in architecture.

Early Career in Architecture

At the age of 22, Thomas Hardy moved to London, hoping to establish a career in architecture. However, he struggled to find work and ended up working as a draughtsman for a railroad company. It was during this time that he began writing poetry, and eventually, he shifted his focus to writing full-time.

Rise to Fame as a Novelist

Hardy’s writing career took off in the late 1870s, with the publication of his first novel, “Desperate Remedies”. He went on to write other novels, which gained widespread popularity, including “Far from the Madding Crowd”, “The Return of the Native”, and “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”. His novels were known for their realism and psychological complexity, and they often dealt with themes such as social class, love, and fate.

Passion for Music

Hardy had a passion for music and played the violin, viola, and piano. He also composed songs and set some of his own poetry to music. His musical interests and talents often found their way into his works.

Prolific Poet

In addition to his novels, Thomas Hardy was also a prolific poet. In 1896, Hardy was appointed as a Poet Laureate, a prestigious position in British literature. However, his tenure as Poet Laureate was somewhat controversial, as he wrote relatively few poems during this period, and his compositions were often considered pessimistic and less traditional compared to his predecessors.

Famous Poems

Hardy’s poetry was often dark and pessimistic, reflecting his own personal views on life. Some of his most famous poems include “The Darkling Thrush”, “Neutral Tones”, and “The Ruined Maid”. Hardy continued to write poetry throughout his life, publishing his last collection, “Winter Words”, in 1928.

Achievements and Recognitions

Throughout his life, Hardy made several notable achievements and received numerous awards. In 1895, he was awarded the Order of Merit by King Edward VII. In 1910, he received the gold medal for poetry from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Hardy was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature 25 times in total, although he did not receive the award.

Final Years and Legacy

Thomas Hardy passed away on January 11, 1928, in Dorchester, Dorset, England. He died of heart failure and is buried in the same churchyard as his parents in Stinsford, Dorset. Hardy’s work continues to be celebrated for its depth, literary innovation, and exploration of human emotion and societal complexities.