Sir Walter Besant Quotes

A collection of quotes by Sir Walter Besant.

Sir Walter Besant (1836-1901) was an English novelist and historian. He was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and educated at King's College, London, and Christ's College, Cambridge. Becoming a professor of English literature at the Royal College of Mauritius in 1861, Besant later returned to England to pursue a legal career. However, he found his true passion in the literary field.

Besant began his writing career as a journalist, contributing articles to various journals and newspapers. He later published his first novel, "Studies in Early French Poetry" (1868), which was followed by several historical works. However, he achieved widespread fame and success as a novelist with his collaborative partnership with James Rice. Their most well-known collaboration was the hugely popular novel "Ready-Money Mortiboy" (1872), which was the first of many successful joint works.

As a writer, Besant excelled in the genre of social novels, focusing on themes of urban poverty, class distinctions, and the struggles of working-class individuals. His works often shed light on the social injustices prevalent during the Victorian era and addressed topical issues of the time. Notable novels by Besant include "All Sorts and Conditions of Men" (1882) and "The Children of Gibeon" (1886), both of which became bestsellers.

In addition to his literary endeavours, Besant was a social reformer and philanthropist. He co-founded the Society of Authors, advocating for copyright protections for writers, and was involved in several charitable organizations, including the Metropolitan Association for Befriending Young Servants.

Sir Walter Besant's novels reflect his keen observations of Victorian society, solidifying his place as an influential figure in literature and social reform of the time.