Thomas Hardy

Date of Birth: June 2, 1840

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: January 11, 1928

Biography

Thomas Hardy was an English novelist and poet, born on June 2, 1840, in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, England. He is best known for his novels set in the semi-fictional region of Wessex, drawing on the landscape and social conditions of his native Dorset. Hardy initially trained as an architect in London but returned to Dorset to focus on writing. His first novel, “Desperate Remedies” (1871), was published anonymously, but it was “Far from the Madding Crowd” (1874) that brought him fame and financial success. Hardy’s other notable works include “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” (1891) and “Jude the Obscure” (1895). His works often explore themes of social constraints, tragic characters, and a deterministic outlook on life. In addition to novels, Hardy wrote poetry throughout his career and turned primarily to poetry in his later years. Hardy married Emma Gifford in 1874, but their relationship became strained over time. After Emma’s death in 1912, Hardy married his secretary, Florence Dugdale. He continued to write until his death on January 11, 1928, in Dorchester, Dorset, England.

5 Interesting Facts about Thomas Hardy

1. Thomas Hardy’s heart was buried in his first wife’s grave, while his ashes were interred in Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey.

2. Hardy’s novel “Jude the Obscure” was so controversial that it was burned by the Bishop of Wakefield.

3. Hardy was an accomplished architect and designed his own home, Max Gate, in Dorchester.

4. Despite his success as a novelist, Hardy considered himself primarily a poet.

5. Hardy’s works are known for their tragic characters and often bleak outlook on life, reflecting his view of a deterministic universe.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thomas Hardy

1. “Happiness is but an occasional episode in the general drama of pain.”

2. “Time changes everything except something within us which is always surprised by change.”

3. “A lover without indiscretion is no lover at all.”

4. “My argument is that War makes rattling good history; but Peace is poor reading.”

5. “You can do anything with bayonets except sit on them.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Thomas Hardy’s net worth was estimated to be around £5,000, which would be approximately £300,000 ($400,000) in today’s money.