Prolific Victorian Novelist |
Anthony Trollope was a prolific Victorian English novelist who wrote 47 novels. Widely praised for his insights into everyday life, Trollope’s words resonate beyond his era.
Trollope’s writings were very much inspired by early life experience, as his family had severe money troubles. Although his parents were part of the gentry and his father was educated at Oxford, he failed to become a lawyer, and later, a farmer. The family existed on modest means and moved frequently. Trollope was accepted as a free student at Harrow School. He was bullied due to his low income and wrote in his biography that this led him to two things: suicidal thoughts and the creation of imaginary worlds. The latter would prove to provide his life with great meaning.
Trollope considered settling on the European continent, but in 1834, he began working at the post office, where he remained until 1867. His first years in the service were marred by his unpunctuality; he hated the world of work and was debt-ridden. In a bid to escape his troubles, Trollope applied for a vacant position in Ireland. He found meaning in his work, met his wife and began to amass wealth. The lasting memorial from his time in the postal service is the iconic red pillar box.
Married life spurred Trollope’s writing on. Prior to his wedding, he had only written fragments of his first work, but within a year of marriage it was complete. Trollope set himself a writing quota per day, churning out the written word at a pace few could match. However, his novels were set in Ireland, much to the distaste of Anglo-centric literary critics. His first novels, therefore, excited little interest. Trollope’s success as a writer began when he focussed on England. His ideas were often inspired by dipping his hand into the lost-letter boxes and drawing from the lives of others. The Warden, published in 1855, gained Trollope success and praise. With this, the first of the six Barsetshire novels, his reputation was established. He commanded large sums from his writings which allowed him to travel. He made numerous trips to Australia and published a book on the islands of Oceania.
Although judged harshly by aesthetes of his day, Trollope has stood the test of time. Unlike many writers from the era, his life experience gave him insights others could only imagine; he wrote from the position of a worker. Although he wrote for payment, by his own admission, his writings dealt with complex emotions from a conflicted youth.
Trollope’s writings were very much inspired by early life experience, as his family had severe money troubles. Although his parents were part of the gentry and his father was educated at Oxford, he failed to become a lawyer, and later, a farmer. The family existed on modest means and moved frequently. Trollope was accepted as a free student at Harrow School. He was bullied due to his low income and wrote in his biography that this led him to two things: suicidal thoughts and the creation of imaginary worlds. The latter would prove to provide his life with great meaning.
Trollope considered settling on the European continent, but in 1834, he began working at the post office, where he remained until 1867. His first years in the service were marred by his unpunctuality; he hated the world of work and was debt-ridden. In a bid to escape his troubles, Trollope applied for a vacant position in Ireland. He found meaning in his work, met his wife and began to amass wealth. The lasting memorial from his time in the postal service is the iconic red pillar box.
Married life spurred Trollope’s writing on. Prior to his wedding, he had only written fragments of his first work, but within a year of marriage it was complete. Trollope set himself a writing quota per day, churning out the written word at a pace few could match. However, his novels were set in Ireland, much to the distaste of Anglo-centric literary critics. His first novels, therefore, excited little interest. Trollope’s success as a writer began when he focussed on England. His ideas were often inspired by dipping his hand into the lost-letter boxes and drawing from the lives of others. The Warden, published in 1855, gained Trollope success and praise. With this, the first of the six Barsetshire novels, his reputation was established. He commanded large sums from his writings which allowed him to travel. He made numerous trips to Australia and published a book on the islands of Oceania.
Although judged harshly by aesthetes of his day, Trollope has stood the test of time. Unlike many writers from the era, his life experience gave him insights others could only imagine; he wrote from the position of a worker. Although he wrote for payment, by his own admission, his writings dealt with complex emotions from a conflicted youth.
