William M. Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray was an illustrious English novelist and satirist, born on July 18, 1811, in Calcutta, British India. Thackeray, who hailed from a prosperous family, was sent to England as a child after his father's death. He attended Charterhouse School and later Cambridge University, although he left without obtaining a degree. Initially, he studied law before turning to journalism and art, but it was literature where he truly left his mark. Thackeray's writing career began with a miscellany of journalistic work, including writing under various pseudonyms such as Charles James Yellowplush for Fraser's Magazine. His early works were not immediate successes, but they showcased his sharp wit and a keen eye for social observation. In 1840, he married Isabella Shawe, and they had three daughters, but Isabella's deteriorating mental health strained their family life. His breakthrough came with the serialization of "Vanity Fair" from 1847 to 1848, which remains his most celebrated work. Subtitled “A Novel without a Hero”, the book is a panoramic satire of English society and tells the story of the cunning and opportunistic Becky Sharp, who aggressively clambers up the social ladder at the expense of others. The novel remains significant for its realistic portrayal of the complexities of human character and society. Thackeray continued to write prolifically and created other notable works including "The History of Pendennis" (1848-50), "The History of Henry Esmond" (1852), and "The Newcomes" (1853-55). He was also known for his lectures, particularly a series on English humorists and later on the English kings. Despite his success, Thackeray's later years were marked by ill health and a second bout of grief with the death of his second daughter at a young age. He died on December 24, 1863. His reputation as a literary figure is characterized by his incisive and often cynical view of upper-class and middle-class society, but he is also celebrated for his warmth and humanity as a storyteller.