Thomas Hardy

Early Life

Thomas Hardy was born on June 2, 1840, in the village of Upper Bockhampton, located in Southwestern England. His father, Thomas Sr., was a stonemason and local builder, while his mother, Jemima, was well-read and educated Thomas until he went to his first school at Bockhampton at age eight.

Education

Hardy attended Mr. Last's Academy for Young Gentlemen in Dorchester, where he learned Latin and demonstrated academic potential. However, because his family lacked the means for a university education, his formal education ended at the age of 16, when he became an apprentice to James Hicks, a local architect.

Architectural Career

Hardy moved to London in 1862 and started working as an architectural draftsman for the firm Gibbs & Canning, located in Westminster. He immersed himself in the city's literary and cultural scene while continuing his architectural work to support himself. He won prizes from the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Architectural Association.

Literary Career

Hardy began his writing career as a novelist, publishing Desperate Remedies in 1871. However, his first literary success came with the publication of Far from the Madding Crowd in 1874, which allowed him to give up his architectural career and focus on writing.

A picturesque countryside scene, with rolling hills, a winding path, and a quaint English cottage.

Major Works

Hardy's novels are set in the semi-fictional region of Wessex, which was based on the south-western English counties of Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon, Hampshire and Berkshire. His major works include The Return of the Native (1878), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891), and Jude the Obscure (1895).

Later Life and Death

In his later life, Hardy focused on poetry and published collections such as Wessex Poems (1898) and Poems of the Past and the Present (1901). He died on January 11, 1928, at his home, Max Gate in Dorchester. His ashes were interred in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey.

Legacy

Hardy's work had a profound influence on 20th-century literature. His novels and poetry remain popular, and several have been adapted for film and television. His exploration of tragic characters, his vivid description of the rural landscape, and his critique of social conventions make him a significant figure in English literature.