George Meredith

Born in Portsmouth on February 12, 1828, and educated for a time in Germany, George Meredith built his career as both a novelist and a poet. He first turned to poetry, but over time became especially admired for fiction that mixed comedy, social observation, and close attention to character.

His novels are famous for their brilliant dialogue, epigrammatic style, and interest in the inner lives of men and women. Among the works most often associated with him are The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, The Egoist, and Diana of the Crossways, while Modern Love remains one of his most noted poetic achievements.

By the end of the 19th century, Meredith was widely respected as a major literary figure, and he later received the Order of Merit. He died at Box Hill, Surrey, on May 18, 1909, leaving behind a body of work that helped push the English novel toward greater psychological depth and modern complexity.