William Makepeace Thackeray | Biography and works of William Makepeace Thackeray | Who was Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) was an English novelist, best known for his satirical works and keen observations of Victorian society. Here's an overview of his life and works:
*Biography:*
- *Early Life:* William Makepeace Thackeray was born on July 18, 1811, in Calcutta, British India. His father, Richmond Thackeray, was a high-ranking official in the East India Company. After the death of his father in 1815, Thackeray was sent to England to be raised by his maternal grandmother.
- *Education:* Thackeray attended various schools in England, including Charterhouse School, where he formed lifelong friendships with fellow writers such as Henry Monckton Milnes and Edward Bulwer-Lytton. He later attended Trinity College, Cambridge, but left without completing his degree.
- *Early Career:* Thackeray initially pursued a career in law but soon turned to writing. He contributed essays, reviews, and sketches to various magazines and newspapers, establishing himself as a witty and insightful commentator on contemporary society.
- *Literary Success:* Thackeray achieved literary success with the publication of his novel "Vanity Fair" (1847-1848), serialized in monthly installments. The novel is a sprawling satire of early 19th-century British society, following the exploits of the manipulative and ambitious Becky Sharp.
- *Later Career:* Thackeray went on to write numerous novels, essays, and travelogues, including "The History of Henry Esmond" (1852), "The Newcomes" (1855), and "The Virginians" (1857-1859). He also lectured extensively on English literature and contributed to Punch magazine.
- *Personal Life:* Thackeray married Isabella Shawe in 1836, with whom he had three daughters. The marriage was not a happy one, and Thackeray suffered from financial difficulties and personal tragedies throughout his life.
- *Death:* Thackeray died suddenly of a stroke on December 24, 1863, at the age of 52, leaving several unfinished works.
*Works:*
- *"Vanity Fair" (1847-1848):* Thackeray's most famous work, "Vanity Fair" is a panoramic satire of early 19th-century British society, focusing on the lives of two women, Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, as they navigate the complexities of love, ambition, and social status.
- *"The History of Henry Esmond" (1852):* A historical novel set in 18th-century England, "Henry Esmond" follows the life and adventures of the eponymous hero, a young orphan who rises to prominence in the court of Queen Anne.
- *"The Newcomes" (1855):* A sprawling novel that explores themes of family, inheritance, and social mobility, "The Newcomes" follows the fortunes of the Newcome family and their associates in early Victorian England.
- *"The Virginians" (1857-1859):* A sequel to "Henry Esmond," "The Virginians" follows the lives of Henry Esmond's descendants in colonial America and England, exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and patriotism.
Thackeray's works are celebrated for their wit, humor, and keen insight into human nature and continue to be widely read and studied today for their enduring relevance to contemporary society.
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