George Eliot

Start Free Trial

George Eliot Biography

George Eliot, whose real name was Mary Anne Evans, may have been called ugly by the author Henry James, but James also admitted that Eliot was so intelligent that he couldn’t help but fall in love with her. That second part is certainly true: readers have been falling in love with Eliot and her work ever since her first story, “Amos Barton,” was published in 1857. She had previously been a journalist and a translator, but once Eliot began to write novels, she turned fiction on its head with richly textured works such as The Mill on the Floss and Middlemarch. Unlike many writers before her, she was interested not so much in what her characters did but how they thought and felt—an interest that paved the way for modern novels that were more experimental than Eliot’s, but perhaps never quite as beautiful.

Facts and Trivia

  • When Eliot’s first novel, Adam Bede, became a success, several men claimed to have written the book. Eliot was forced to come forward as the rightful author.
  • When the reading public discovered that Eliot was a woman, they didn’t know whether to condemn her for being an arrogant woman who thought she could write, or praise her for writing so well.
  • For over thirty years, Eliot lived with philosopher George Henry Lewes, although they never married because Lewes was unable to divorce his wife (who had four children with another man, as well as three with Lewes).
  • Upon Lewes' death, Eliot married John Cross, a man 20 years younger than her.
  • It has been suggested that Herbert Spencer, a famed British philosopher, had an affair with Eliot and then broke up with her. Afterward, he wrote an essay on the repugnancy of ugly women. All of Eliot’s friends knew whom he was writing about.
  • British author Virginia Woolf said that Eliot’s Middlemarch was the first novel written for grown-ups.

Biography

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

George Eliot, born Mary Ann Evans in 1819, emerged as a groundbreaking figure in English literature. Her transformation from a young woman educated in Christian teachings to a celebrated author using a male pseudonym reflects her complex journey through faith, intellect, and societal norms. Her novels not only redefined English fiction but also provided profound insights into human nature and morality.

Early Life and Education

Mary Ann Evans entered the world on November 22, 1819, in Arbury, Warwickshire. Her father, Robert Evans, worked as an estate manager, which allowed her to receive an exceptional education for a woman of her time. Initially grounded in Christian teachings, her early learning was further influenced by her conversion to Evangelicalism. While schooling in Coventry, she mastered French and German, honed her piano skills, and lost her provincial accent, learning to speak with a refined, well-modulated voice.

Intellectual Awakening

In her twenties, Evans was drawn to the German Higher Criticism movement, which prompted her to view sacred texts as historical narratives rather than divine revelations. This shift marked her departure from traditional religious practices, though her commitment to duty and love persisted. Her writings, characterized by didactic elements, often portrayed clergymen and Dissenters in a positive light.

Family Responsibilities and Expanding Horizons

When Evans's mother passed away in 1836, she assumed the role of head of the household, caring for her father while continuing her education with determination. The early 1840s saw Evans and her father relocating near Coventry, where she encountered freethinkers Charles and Caroline Bray. The Brays profoundly influenced her religious beliefs, encouraging a perspective where sacred texts were seen as human creations with psychological and moral significance. This intellectual evolution displeased her father, but Evans persevered.

Literary Beginnings

In 1846, Evans completed an English translation of David Strauss's Life of Jesus from German, delving deeply into Spinoza's works and publishing various essays. After her father's death, she traveled to Europe with the Brays, eventually settling in London. Her literary career began to take shape as she engaged with influential thinkers and writers.

Professional Development

By 1850, Evans had formed a professional relationship with John Chapman, the publisher of the Westminster Review. She contributed to the journal and lived briefly with Chapman and his wife. Evans developed a deep admiration for Chapman's charm and later formed a significant intellectual connection with Herbert Spencer, an eminent scholar in biology and sociology.

The Birth of George Eliot

In 1854, Evans published a translation of Feuerbach's Essence of Christianity and adopted the pseudonym George Eliot, under which her literary works would flourish. That same year, she embarked on a lifelong partnership with George Henry Lewes. Despite his marital entanglements, Lewes and Eliot developed a profound and lasting bond, working collaboratively on numerous projects, including Lewes's acclaimed Life of Goethe.

A Partnership of Minds

The unconventional relationship between Lewes and Eliot led to initial social challenges, yet over time, their London peers came to accept the couple. In social settings, Eliot preferred to be known as Mrs. Lewes, underscoring the depth of her connection to Lewes. His unwavering support and intellectual companionship significantly influenced Eliot's literary output.

Literary Masterpieces

Over the subsequent two decades, Eliot produced a remarkable body of work that solidified her place in the pantheon of English literature. Her novels, including Scenes of Clerical Life, Adam Bede, The Mill on the Floss, Silas Marner, Romola, Felix Holt, The Radical, Middlemarch, and Daniel Deronda, are regarded as some of the finest of the 19th century. Middlemarch , in particular, is celebrated for its intricate...

(This entire section contains 705 words.)

Unlock this Study Guide Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

portrayal of societal norms and individual aspirations.

Later Years and Legacy

By the publication of Daniel Deronda, Eliot had reached the zenith of her career, recognized as the leading English novelist of her era. Following Lewes's death in 1878, Eliot faced a period of profound personal loss. In 1880, she married John Walter Cross, her financial advisor and a companion she had known since 1869. Her life came to an end on December 22 of the same year, when she died of heart failure in London.

George Eliot's enduring legacy lies in her ability to delve deep into the human psyche, crafting narratives that continue to resonate with readers. Her works remain a testament to her intellectual rigor and empathetic understanding of the complexities of human relationships.

Next

Critical Essays

Loading...