Anthony Trollope
- Born:
- 24 April 1815, London, England
- Died:
- 6 December 1882, London, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Civil Servant
Early Life and Education
- Born into a family experiencing financial difficulties.
- Attended Harrow School and Winchester College, enduring periods of unhappiness and underachievement.
- Early life marked by social awkwardness and feelings of inadequacy.
Career and Major Achievements
- Joined the General Post Office in 1834.
- Transferred to Ireland in 1841, where he began his literary career.
- Introduced pillar boxes to the United Kingdom.
- Rose to a senior position within the Post Office, eventually becoming a Surveyor.
- Published extensively throughout his career, establishing himself as a prolific and popular novelist.
Notable Works
- The Barsetshire Novels:
- The Warden (1855)
- Barchester Towers (1857)
- Doctor Thorne (1858)
- Framley Parsonage (1861)
- The Small House at Allington (1864)
- The Last Chronicle of Barset (1867)
- The Palliser Novels:
- Can You Forgive Her? (1864)
- Phineas Finn (1869)
- The Eustace Diamonds (1871)
- Phineas Redux (1874)
- The Prime Minister (1876)
- The Duke's Children (1880)
- Other Notable Novels:
- The Way We Live Now (1875)
- The Kellys and the O'Kellys (1848)
- Posthumously published, Anthony Trollope an Autobiography (1883), which offered candid insights into his writing methods and life.
Legacy and Impact
Anthony Trollope's legacy rests on his prolific output of realistic novels, which offer detailed portrayals of Victorian society, particularly the clergy, aristocracy, and political landscape. His work is admired for its psychological realism, social commentary, and compelling narratives. His novels continue to be widely read and adapted for television and film.