Kenneth Grahame

Date of Birth: March 8, 1859

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: July 6, 1932

Biography

Kenneth Grahame was a renowned British novelist best known for his classic children’s book, “The Wind in the Willows,” published in 1908. Grahame was born on March 8, 1859, in Edinburgh, Scotland. His early life was marred by tragedy; his mother died when he was just five years old, and his father, who struggled with alcoholism, was unable to care for his children. Consequently, Kenneth and his siblings were sent to live with their grandmother in Cookham Dean in Berkshire, England. Grahame attended St Edward’s School in Oxford but was unable to attend university due to financial constraints. Instead, he joined the Bank of England in 1879, where he worked until his early retirement in 1908 due to health issues. His literary career began with short stories and essays, but he achieved significant recognition with the publication of “The Wind in the Willows,” a whimsical tale of the adventures of anthropomorphized animals. The book has remained a beloved classic, adapted into numerous plays, films, and television series. Kenneth Grahame passed away on July 6, 1932, in Pangbourne, Berkshire, England. He is remembered as one of the great children’s authors of his time, leaving an indelible mark on literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Kenneth Grahame

1. Kenneth Grahame had a passion for nature, which is reflected in the vivid descriptions of the English countryside in “The Wind in the Willows.”

2. He retired early from a successful career at the Bank of England due to health issues.

3. The character of Mr. Toad in “The Wind in the Willows” is said to be inspired by Grahame’s own son, Alastair.

4. Grahame’s work was highly praised by notable contemporaries, including Theodore Roosevelt.

5. “The Wind in the Willows” has never been out of print since its initial publication in 1908.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Kenneth Grahame

1. “There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

2. “All this he saw, for one moment breathless and intense, vivid on the morning sky; and still, as he looked, he lived; and still, as he lived, he wondered.”

3. “After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself, as to see all the other fellows busy working.”

4. “The past always seems better when you look back on it than it did at the time.”

5. “Take the Adventure, heed the call, now ere the irrevocable moment passes!”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The exact net worth of Kenneth Grahame during his lifetime is not well-documented. However, his literary works, particularly “The Wind in the Willows,” have generated substantial revenue over the years. Adjusted for modern inflation, the value of his literary estate would be in the multi-millions.

Children

Kenneth Grahame had one child, a son named Alastair Grahame, born in 1900. Alastair, who was born partially blind and had various health issues, struggled throughout his life and tragically died by suicide in 1920 at the age of 19.