George Gissing

Date of Birth: November 22, 1857

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: December 28, 1903

Biography

George Robert Gissing was an English novelist born on November 22, 1857, in Wakefield, Yorkshire, England. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the lower middle class in late Victorian society. Gissing’s work often explored themes of poverty, social struggle, and the harsh realities of life in the rapidly industrializing world of 19th-century England. Gissing attended Owens College in Manchester but was expelled after being caught stealing money to help a woman he had fallen in love with. After a brief stint in the United States, he returned to England where he faced a tumultuous personal life, marked by two unhappy marriages and financial struggles. Despite these challenges, he wrote prolifically, producing over 20 novels, numerous short stories, and essays. His most notable works include “New Grub Street” (1891), “The Odd Women” (1893), and “Born in Exile” (1892). These novels provide a vivid depiction of the difficulties faced by intellectuals and the working poor in Victorian England. Gissing’s keen eye for detail and empathetic portrayal of his characters have earned him a lasting place in English literature. Gissing died on December 28, 1903, in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France, at the age of 46.

5 Interesting Facts about George Gissing

1. George Gissing was expelled from Owens College for stealing money to help a woman he loved, which led to his brief emigration to the United States.

2. He wrote his first novel, “Workers in the Dawn” (1880), while living in abject poverty in London.

3. Gissing was a contemporary and friend of the famous writer H.G. Wells.

4. His novel “New Grub Street” is considered one of the most important works about the literary world and its struggles during the Victorian era.

5. Despite his literary success, Gissing often struggled with financial instability and poor health throughout his life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Gissing

1. “Money is like a sixth sense without which you cannot make a complete use of the other five.”

2. “Time is money says the proverb, but turn it around and you get a precious truth. Money is time.”

3. “Literature nowadays is a trade. Putting books on the market is as much a trade as making cheese or selling groceries.”

4. “Life is a huge farce, and the advantage of possessing a sense of humour is that it enables one to defy fate with mocking laughter.”

5. “To like and dislike the same things, that is indeed true friendship.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

George Gissing’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but it is known that he often faced financial difficulties throughout his life. His literary success did not translate into significant financial stability.

Children

George Gissing had two children with his second wife, Edith Underwood: a son named Alfred Gissing, born in 1896, and another son named Charles Gissing, born in 1897.