George Eliot

George Eliot (born as Mary Anne Evans) was born in Warwickshire, England in 1819. She was a renowned Victorian novelist and poet who wrote under a male pseudonym. Her novels, which explore various themes such as religion, human psychology, realism, and morality, have become regarded as some of the finest works of the 19th century.

The daughter of an estate agent and the eldest of four children, Mary Anne Evans had an active early life. At an early age, she was an eager student and developed an interest in literature and art. Mary Anne eventually added the middle name "Eliot" to her name to better match the works she wrote. As a young woman, Eliot wrote for various magazines and periodicals and lived in a series of households in London and Oxford.

Eliot's first novel, Adam Bede, was published in 1859 and was an immediate success. Centring on the life of rural folk in the Midlands and the battle between sin and morality, the novel was praised highly for its finely developed characters and its sympathetic treatment of its subject matter. In 1864, Eliot achieved worldwide fame with her fourth novel, Middlemarch. Widely considered as one of the greatest novels of the 19th century, Middlemarch details the lives of a host of characters from diverse backgrounds, all living in an English provincial town and surrounding areas.

Eliot's writing explored complex moral dilemmas and sought to give a realistic and sympathetic portrayal of those in the lower classes who had been often discriminated against and overlooked. Her books also touched on themes of gender and politics in a way which was ahead of her time. Other novels include Romola, The Mill on the Floss, Silas Marner, and Daniel Deronda as well as several short stories.

Eliot also wrote poetry, and her later works include the religious poem The Spanish Gypsy and the poetry collection Scenes of Clerical Life, released posthumously in 1858.

Eliot died on 22 December 1880 in London and was buried in Highgate Cemetery. Her resting place is marked by a long-term memorial which bears a simple inscription reading "George Eliot, Novelist". Eliot's funeral was emphasised by her admirers, and many noted members of British society attended it.

George Eliot's influence can still be felt today. Writers who have drawn inspiration from Eliot range from novelist Iris Murdoch to contemporary American authors like Leah Hager Cohen. Her works continue to be read and studied by book clubs around the world, and her life and work has been the subject of numerous books and articles.

George Eliot was a pioneering writer who tackled complex topics and explored difficult issues, inspiring generations of authors to come. Through her writing and philosophy, Eliot expressed a touching and profound insight into the human experience. Her works remain some of the most read, acclaimed and influential novels of the nineteenth century.