George Meredith

Biography

George Meredith (1828–1909) was an English novelist and poet whose innovative narrative techniques and psychological depth made him one of the most respected Victorian literary figures. Born in Portsmouth, Meredith was largely self-educated and began his career as a journalist before turning to fiction and poetry. His novels, including The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, The Egoist, and Diana of the Crossways, are celebrated for complex characterization, wit, and exploration of social conventions. Meredith’s prose style was notably demanding—dense with metaphor, allusion, and philosophical reflection—earning both admiration and criticism from contemporaries. His early work The Shaving of Shagpat demonstrated his talent for elaborate fantasy and allegorical storytelling. As a reader for Chapman & Hall, Meredith influenced the careers of many younger writers, including Thomas Hardy and George Gissing. He was awarded the Order of Merit in 1905 and served as president of the Society of Authors. Though his popularity declined in the twentieth century, Meredith’s influence on the psychological novel and his explorations of gender dynamics and social hypocrisy remain significant contributions to English literature.