Thomas Hardy, an English born writer, drew much from his life to compose his works. Born in a small town in the region of Dorset, Hardy learned early on the need for education and the distinction of social status. Pressured by his father into a career in architecture, Hardy read literature and composed poetry in his free time. After writing several novels, he achieved the credibility needed to leave architecture and pursue a career in writing. Hardy wrote over fifty works in his life, including novels, poems, short stories, plays, and autobiographies. After unsuccessfully attempting to publish several novels anonymously, Hardy finally earned credibility after writing A Pair of Blue Eyes. Hardy's childless marriage to Emma Gifford lasted until her death, but grew problematic in their old age. Shortly after Emma's death he married Florence Dugdale, a friend of the family. She cared for him until his death, and helped him to write an autobiography. Hardy's works all contain some theme of love and have a gloomy, pessimistic tone. Thomas Hardy's life, filled with turmoil and a problematic relationship with his wife, created the foundation for the fatalistic tone of such novels as The Mayor of Casterbridge, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and Jude the Obscure. The time and place of Hardy's birth established the early experiences upon which he was to draw so deeply as a writer. He was born on June 2, 1840 in the small hamlet, Higher Bockhampton, in the region of Dorset, England. Hardy set most of his novels in a fictional county of Wessex, inspired by Dorset. This gloomy landscape proved to be well suited to his tragic stories. His father, a stone mason, had come from generations living in Higher Bockhampton, and was quite content with his low social status and rural surroundings. Hardy's mother, though, was unsatisfied with their low social status and encouraged Hardy's education. At the age of sixteen Hardy became a pupil to John Hicks, a friend of...