About the Author

Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was an English novelist, short story writer and poet. Hardy initially trained as an architect in Dorchester before moving to London in 1862. In 1870, Hardy met Emma Lavinia Gifford, whom he married in 1874. Before their marriage he had published four novels and was earning his living as a writer. More novels followed and in 1878 the Hardys moved from Dorset to the London literary scene.