GEORGE ORWELL (June 25, 1903 – January 21, 1950)

English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic whose work is characterized by his opposition to totalitarianism and his commitment to democratic socialism.

Main accomplishments:

• Wrote several influential novels, including Animal Farm (1945) and 1984 (1949).
• Contributed numerous essays and articles to a variety of publications, including The New Statesman, Tribune, and The Observer.
• Served as a correspondent for the BBC and fought in the Spanish Civil War.

Best known for his novels Animal Farm and 1984, British novelist, essayist, and journalist George Orwell was one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. His work, which is characterized by his opposition to totalitarianism and his commitment to democratic socialism, has had a lasting impact on literature and political discourse. Orwell is remembered as a powerful voice for democracy and freedom, and his ideas and concepts, such as “Big Brother” and “thoughtcrime,” have become part of the cultural lexicon. In addition to his novels, Orwell was a prolific essayist and journalist, contributing numerous articles and essays to a variety of publications. He also served as a correspondent for the BBC and fought in the Spanish Civil War. Despite struggling with poor health for much of his life, Orwell’s writing continues to be widely read and revered.

EARLY LIFE

George Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, was born in Motihari, Bihar, India to Richard Walmesley Blair and Ida Mabel Blair. His father worked in the opium department of the Indian Civil Service and the family enjoyed a privileged upbringing. Orwell was sent to England at the age of one to be raised by his mother’s sister and her husband, who were based in Henley-on-Thames. He attended a series of schools, including St. Cyprian’s School, where he was considered a poor student and was often bullied.

After completing his education, Orwell worked as a police officer in Burma and then returned to England, where he began his career as a writer. He worked as a tutor and a teacher before publishing his first book, Down and Out in Paris and London, in 1933. This work, which described his experiences of poverty and homelessness in Paris and London, established him as an important new voice in literature.

CAREER

Orwell’s literary career took off in the 1940s with the publication of two highly influential novels, Animal Farm and 1984. Animal Farm, a political allegory about the dangers of totalitarianism, was published in 1945 and became a bestseller. 1984, a dystopian novel about a society in which the government controls every aspect of people’s lives, was published in 1949 and remains one of the most famous and widely read novels of the 20th century.

In addition to his novels, Orwell was a prolific essayist and journalist. He contributed numerous essays and articles to a variety of publications, including The New Statesman, Tribune, and The Observer. He also served as a correspondent for the BBC during the Spanish Civil War, where he was badly injured.

PERSONAL LIFE

Orwell was married twice, first to Eileen O’Shaughnessy and then to Sonia Brownell. He had one son, Richard Horatio Blair, with his first wife. Orwell struggled with poor health for much of his life and died at the age of 46 from complications related to tuberculosis.

LEGACY

Orwell’s writing has had a lasting impact on literature and political discourse. His books are still widely read and his ideas and concepts, such as “Big Brother” and “thoughtcrime,” have become part of the cultural lexicon. He is remembered as a powerful voice for democracy and freedom and his work continues to be relevant in today’s political climate.