George Eliot
Born in Astley, WarwickshireBorn on 22nd of November 1819
Died in London
Died on 22nd of December 1880
Quotes from George Eliot
'Whether happiness may come or '... More
George Eliot was the pen-name of Mary Ann Evans who was born on November 22, 1819 in Arbury, Warwickshire. She was brought up as a strict protestant evangelist and although she was ultimately to reject organised religion her first book was “Life of Jesus” (1846) a translation from the German.
In 1851 Mary Ann Evans became sub-editor of The Westminster Review and met many of the prominent Victorian writers and thinkers of the day. By 1854 she was – scandalously - living openly with the philosopher and critic G. H. Lewes. Lewes was already married and their relationship invited opprobrium, one reason for her taking the “nom de plume” George Eliot. Lewes encouraged and supported Eliot’s literary career which began with the serialisation of “Scenes from Clerical Life,” in 1856. With the publication of “Adam Bede” (1859) George Eliot became a literary celebrity and her real identity could not be kept secret. With the success of “The Mill on the Floss” (1860) and “Silas Marner” (1861) any misgivings about Eliot’s non-conformist lifestyle were eclipsed.
George Eliot’s historical romance “Romola” was less well received, and it was not until “Middlemarch” appeared in 1871-72 that Eliot regained her stride. This novel set in an English provincial town is considered her masterpiece. A great Victorian writer dealing with the social and political issues of her day, Eliot’s novels are still read for their acute psychological insight and compassion. Her last novel “Daniel Deronda” appeared in 1876. George Eliot died on December 22, 1880 at 4, Cheyne Walk Chelsea and was buried next to her lifelong companion George Lewes.
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