Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was an English novelist and poet who published his first novel, Far From the Madding Crowd, in 1874 which was a success. He went on to publish several other notable novels including The Return of the Native, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and Jude the Obscure. Hardy married his first wife, Emma Gifford, in 1868 who encouraged his writing career. He started as a poet but found success as a novelist during the Victorian era, though some of his later works were considered too explicit for the social norms of the time. Hardy died in 1928 and was buried in Poets Corner of Westminster Abbey per his wishes.