Short biography of Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy was born June 2, 1840, in the village of Upper Bockhampton, located in Southwestern England, the eldest son of Thomas Hardy and Jemima (Hand) Hardy. His father was a stone mason and violinist. His father also worked as a builder. His mother enjoyed reading and relating all the folk songs and legends of the region. Between his parents, Hardy gained all the interests that would appear in his novels and his own life: his love for music and architecture, his interest in the lifestyles of the country folk, and his passion for all sorts of literature.

Thomas received his initial schooling from his mother at home. But when he was at the age of eight, Hardy began to attend Julia Martin's school in Bockhampton.  He learned French, German, and Latin by teaching himself through those books that he found in Dorchester, the nearby town. Most of his education came from the books. His primary school education lasted until he was sixteen, at that time he was sent to an apprenticeship with John Hicks, a local architect. By 1862, Hardy left for London to work as a draftsman in the office of Arthur Blomfield. Despite his work, Hardy would study with the Greek scholar Horace Moule in the evening.

From 1867, Hardy wrote poetry and novels. Hardy's novels were published in serial forms in magazines that were popular in England and America. His first popular novel was Under the Greenwood Tree, published in 1872. The next great novel, Far from the Madding Crowd (1874) was so popular that with the profits, on that time he was able to give up architecture and marry Emma Gifford. The Poor Man and the Lady (1867-68), was rejected by several publishers, but one editor, George Meredith encouraged him. Hardy wrote short stories, poems, and plays for the rest of his life. Two further volumes of poetry and short stories appeared, The Dynasts: A Drama of the Napoleonic Wars (1903-08) and Winter Words (1928), a volume of verse.

In December 1927, Hardy fell sick with pleurisy and eventually he died on January 11,1928,at the age of 87. Hardy's body was buried at Westminster Abbey in Poet's Corner.