E. M. Forster

Date of Birth: January 1, 1879

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: June 7, 1970

Biography

Edward Morgan Forster, known as E.M. Forster, was an influential English novelist, essayist, and short story writer. Born on January 1, 1879, in Marylebone, London, he is best known for his novels which explore the social, political, and interpersonal tensions of early 20th-century British society. Forster’s most famous works include “A Room with a View” (1908), “Howards End” (1910), and “A Passage to India” (1924). His writing is celebrated for its rich character development, wit, and keen observations on the complexities of human relationships. Forster was educated at Tonbridge School in Kent and later at King’s College, Cambridge. His time at Cambridge was formative, leading him to join the Apostles, an elite intellectual society, where he cultivated relationships with many intellectuals of his time. Although he published numerous works, Forster struggled with his sexuality in an era when homosexuality was criminalized in Britain, which profoundly impacted his personal and professional life. Forster never married and spent much of his later life in the company of friends and literary peers. He was deeply involved with the Bloomsbury Group, a collective of writers, intellectuals, and artists. Forster’s legacy continues through his profound contributions to literature and his influence on subsequent generations of writers.

5 Interesting Facts about E. M. Forster

1. E.M. Forster’s novel “A Passage to India” was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film directed by David Lean in 1984.

2. Forster was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 16 different years but never won.

3. He worked as a broadcaster for the BBC during World War II, offering cultural and literary commentary.

4. Forster was awarded the Order of Merit in 1969, one of Britain’s highest honors.

5. He left a significant portion of his literary estate to the National Trust, ensuring the preservation of his manuscripts and personal papers.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from E. M. Forster

1. “Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon.”

2. “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

3. “The only possible way to get somebody to change is to make them want to change.”

4. “Life is easy to chronicle, but bewildering to practice.”

5. “What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and the wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives?”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, E.M. Forster’s net worth was modest by modern standards, though he was comfortable enough to live without financial strain. Adjusted for inflation, it is estimated he had a net worth equivalent to around $5 million today.