W. Somerset Maugham

William Somerset Maugham, born in France in 1874, is a widely celebrated and respected British author. His works have been published internationally, with several translations even appearing in Chinese. With many diverse and iconic works to his name, Maugham is admired by readers around the world.

Maugham was the fourth and final child of Robert Maugham, a British solicitor, and his wife, Edith Mary. His family was well off, allowing Maugham to attend the prestigious King's School in Canterbury. However, Maugham's scholastic abilities were subpar. In 1893, he left school without any qualifications and became an apprentice to a doctor at St. Thomas's Hospital in London.

He then joined the British Army, serving during the Boer War. During his time in active service, Maugham wrote his first novel, Liza of Lambeth. In 1898, he was posted to the Seychelles, and it was there that he wrote his first play, A Man of Honour. Upon returning to England the following year, Maugham's play became a great hit; it was even adapted into a production by a well-known theater company.

Maugham continued writing throughout the early 1900s. His works include The Moon and Sixpence, a novel based on the life of impressionist artist Paul Gauguin, The Painted Veil, a novel of love and heartbreak set in China, and The Razor’s Edge, a novel exploring the central themes of spirituality and knowledge. All of his novels are widely acclaimed and have been adapted into films and TV series.

Despite Maugham’s success as a novelist, he was arguably more successful as a playwright. Throughout his career, Maugham wrote more than 30 plays and several librettos. Many of his plays have become classics, such as Caesar’s Wife, a morality play set in Rome at the time of Julius Caesar, and Sheppey, a story about a young man’s struggle with authority, set in rural England.

Aside from his literary works, Maugham was an accomplished travel writer. He traveled extensively throughout the Far East, South Arabia, and the South Pacific. Maugham was fascinated by the culture and people he encountered during his travels and wrote about them in his books and essays.

In all, Maugham’s life and works have touched readers around the world. His novels and plays explore difficult issues, such as love, morality, and social injustices. His stories are often timeless, allowing readers from different eras to connect with the stories’ themes and characters. In sum, W. Somerset Maugham is a beloved, influential, and highly successful British author whose works have stood the test of time.