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H.G. Wells
This Websites purpose is to inform about the life and passion for literature of Herbert George Wells.
Biography
Early Life
Herbert George Wells, also known as H.G. Wells, lived with his mother and father who were shopkeepers. Throughout his early life he was always at a threat for poverty. Due to this struggle Wells found comfort through literature and poetry. At age he was offered a scholarship to study at the Normal School of Science. While in attendance he earned a degree in Biology. He then furthered his education at London University and taught biology at a high school. While he began his teaching journey he became financially challenged. His financial struggles caused a separation from his wife in 1891. This event opened the door for Wells to start his writing career. He had a degree in biology, for Wells had always been interested in science. This created his passion to write science fiction novels for the world to enjoy. He first wrote a book The Time Machine in 1895. This book was an instant success which got his name out into the author world. He continued his writing with other hit books such as: The War of the Worlds, The First Men in the Moon, and The Invisible Man. He won the Locus Award in 2002 for his book The War of the Worlds. He was also inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. World War I shook his writing category to fiction involving politics. He did this to express his views on the world after the war and what humans needed to do better. He saw the beauty of the world and expressed it through this political writing category.
Career Accomplishments
H.G. Wells was the Chief Literary Spokesperson after World War I which is a very high honored role. He has a passion for the role of gender in society. He supported women’s rights and thought very highly of them. He wanted to support women in the journey to suffrage. Wells was viewed as noble and compassionate due to this view point. Wells was a public figure for societal equality, peace, and the bright future of humanity. He spoke on the importance of avoiding war and hate throughout the world to make us all stronger. Wells believed in advancements in humanity when others could only see the dark. He knew people would become more human as time went on and he was one of the first speakers/writers to address this idea. Even with such a dark childhood Wells saw the good in this world and did his part to expose that. He fought for those who didn’t have anyone to fight for them. He was able to take his fears and make them into literature to symbolize the brilliant ways the mind works. When he turned his writing toward comedy he continued to build the world of fantasy with his writing style and for this he will always have an important part in literature.
Works & Impacts on Society
Wells wrote his first novel in 1895 called, “The Time Machine”. This novel was a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel. This book was significant because it drew an interest toward time travel. The novel right off the bat was successful. Time travel was not a big thing during this point of time and Wells made it more popular. He sold several million copies of his novel. The novel gave off a great message that class divisions had to be removed, otherwise mankind would wreck itself. Another very successful book that H.G. Wells wrote, “The Island of Doctor Moreau”. Wells touched on many social issues in this novel. He talked about the anti vivisection movement that was growing at the time. This movement was created because of Britain's Cruelty to Animals Act 1876. They created the movement in hopes to control animals being used in science. This was a large thing going on at the time of Wells writing his books, so it was significant for him to talk about it in this novel. He also talked about Charles Darwin research in the novel. This was another large thing going on at the time. It was darwinism which basically meant the survival of the fittest. This book was so popular because he was talking about all of the things going on in the world at the time. Another important novel Wells wrote was, “The War of the Worlds”. This novel was significant because it formed the scientific romance, now known as sci-fi, genre. There weren't many novels like this, so it really intrigued people to buy the book and read it.
End of Life
Wells wrote roughly 45 to 50 novels in his writing career. Towards the end of his writing career, he wrote more novels about his social views, almost like a journalist. He wrote books all the way until he no longer could. H.G. Wells passed away on August 13, 1946 at 79 years old. His books are still being read and talked about to this day. He has made a forever impact on the book community. He lived a long life doing what he loved most, writing.
