Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was an English novelist and poet known for his significant contributions to literature, particularly his novels and poetry. His literary career spanned three phases, from his early years and apprenticeship to his later success as a renowned poet after the publication of his first poetry collection in 1898. Hardy's works often reflect his deep connection with nature and character, ultimately leading to his recognition as one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century.

1. Novelist and Poet

2. Thomas Hardy (2 June 1840 – 11 January 1928)
was an English novelist and poet.
While Hardy wrote poetry throughout his life and
regarded himself primarily as a poet, his first
collection was not published until 1898.
Initially, therefore, he gained fame as the author
of novels

3. Thomas Hardy’s life can be divided into three phases:
1. The first phase (1840-1870) embraces childhood,
adolescence, apprenticeship, first marriage, early
poems and his first unpublished novel.
2. The second phase (1871-1897) is marked by intensive
writing, which resulted in the publication of 14 novels
and a number of short stories.
3. In the third phase (1898-1928), the period of the
writer’s rising fame, he abandoned writing novels and
returned to poetry.

4. Born on 2nd June, 1840 in the village of Higher [Upper]
Bockhampton in Stinsford parish near the town of
Dorchester in Dorset County, England
Childhood pursuits, often spending time alone
wandering the countryside, exploring the flora and
fauna, gaining a profound connection with nature and
the familiar sights and sounds of his rural home county
Attended the Stinson church with his family, was a
voracious reader, learned to play the violin and
attended local schools studying Latin, Greek, French,
classical literature, and assisted his father in his various
building projects

5.  At the age of sixteen, Hardy was taken on as apprentice to
John Hicks, an architect in Dorchester
 Left in 1862 for London to work with architect Arthur
Blomfield
 He worked in an office which specialized in restoration of
churches
 Immersed himself in the city's vibrant literary and cultural
atmosphere, studying art, visiting the National Gallery,
attending the theatre, and writing prose and poetry
 Five years later, concerned about his health, he returned
to Dorset and decided to dedicate himself to writing

6. Emily
Hardy met Emma Lavinia Gifford (1840-1912) in 1870.
She was working at the rectory in St. Juliot, Cornwall,
a building project he was working on.
They married in London in 1874
Emma died suddenly on 27 November 1912
Florence
In 1914, Hardy married his secretary, Florence Emily
Dugdale (1879-1937)
Dugdale was 39 years his junior

7. Hardy became ill with pleurisy in December 1927
He died at his home, Max Gate, in Dorchester on 11th
January 1928
Hardy narrated his final poem to his wife while on his
deathbed
His heart is buried in the cemetery of St. Michael's
Church in Stinsford, Dorset, where Emma and
Florence also now rest
His ashes were interred in Poet's Corner of
Westminster Abbey, London, England

8. Hardy divided his novels and collected short stories
into three classes:
1. Novels of Character and Environment
2. Romance and Fantasies
3. Novels of Ingenuity

9. After harsh criticism for two of his novels, Hardy
wrote and published works of drama:
1. The Dynasts (verse drama)
 The Dynasts, Part 1 (1904)
 The Dynasts, Part 2 (1906)
 The Dynasts, Part 3 (1908)
2. The Famous Tragedy of the Queen of Cornwall at
Tintagel in Lyonnesse (1923) (one-act play)

10. Poetry was Hardy's first literary love
He wrote poems from the 1860s onward till near his
death, completing nearly a thousand poems (986)
Hardy is now recognised as one of the greatest poets
of the twentieth century
In 1898 Hardy published his first volume of poetry,
Wessex Poems, a collection of poems written over a
period of 30 years

11. http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/hardy/
http://www.hardysociety.org/

12. Novelist and Poet