Hardy, Thomas
Hardy, Thomas ( 1840 – 1928 ),born at Higher Bock-hampton, near Dorchester in Dorset, son of a stonemason, whose family had known better days. His father taught Hardy the violin and his mother greatly encouraged his early interest in books. He attended school in Dorchester and at 16 was articled to John Hicks , a local architect. At the age of 22 he went to London, where he worked for the architect Arthur Blomfield, pursued a hectic London life, and also found time for extensive reading. During this time he lost the religious faith which had once led him to consider taking holy orders. He returned home in 1867 to continue architectural work in Dorchester, and began his first (unpublished) novel, The Poor Man and the Lady. At this time he probably fell in love with Tryphena Sparks , a girl of 16 who was regarded as his cousin but may have been his niece. The history of his relationship with her, and of her...
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