Who was John Galsworthy? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In August

Also Known As: John Sinjohn

Died At Age: 65

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Ada Pearson

Born Country: England

Nobel Laureates In Literature Novelists

Died on: January 31, 1933

place of death: Hampstead, London, England

Notable Alumni: New College, Oxford

Cause of Death: Brain Tumor

Founder/Co-Founder: PEN American Center, PEN International

More Facts

education: New College, Oxford

awards: Nobel Prize in Literature

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1

What are some famous works by John Galsworthy?

Some famous works by John Galsworthy include "The Forsyte Saga," "Justice," "The Man of Property," "The Silver Spoon," and "Maid in Waiting."
2

What themes are commonly explored in John Galsworthy's literature?

Common themes in John Galsworthy's literature include social class, morality, family dynamics, and the impact of societal changes on individuals.
3

How did John Galsworthy's writing style influence modern literature?

John Galsworthy's writing style, characterized by realism and social commentary, influenced modern literature by highlighting the complexities of human relationships and societal issues.
4

What was John Galsworthy's stance on social justice and reform?

John Galsworthy was a strong advocate for social justice and reform, often using his writing to shed light on inequalities and injustices in society.

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Childhood & Early Life

John Galsworthy was born on August 14, 1867, in Kingston Hill in a wealthy family. His ancestors came from Devonshire farming stock; but at the time of his birth, they had accumulated considerable property and also owned shipping business.

His father, also named John Galsworthy, was an established solicitor and company director in London. He was quite charming and young Galsworthy used to idolize him. His mother, Blanche Bailey Galsworthy, was very religious and at the same time very fussy.

Junior John Galsworthy was the eldest son of his parents. He started his education under the tutors at home and later was admitted to a preparatory school at Bournemouth at the age of nine. From there he went to Harrow, where he distinguished as an athlete.

After passing out from Harrow young John Galsworthy was admitted to New College, Oxford. In 1889, he passed out from there with a degree in jurisprudence.

In 1890, he was called to bar; but as he wanted to specialize in marine law he joined his family’s shipping business and spent time travelling around the world.

In course of these voyages, Galsworthy met Joseph Cornard, who later became a celebrated writer. The two would-be authors became close friends. Sometime now, Galsworthy also started penning short stories for his own pleasure.

From 1897 to 1901, Galsworthy published four works under the pseudonym John Sinjohn at his own cost. His first book, published in 1897, was a collection of short stories titled ‘From the Four Winds’. ‘Jocelyn’, published in 1888 was his first full novel. He then published ‘Villa Rubein’ in 1900 and ‘A Man of Devon’ in 1901.

Galsworthy’s father passed away in 1904. He now inherited his father’s estate and became financially independent. By now, he had also realized that he was not fit for making a living out of law. He therefore, gave up his legal career and decided to devote all his time to writing.

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British Writers

British Novelists

Career

In 1904, Galsworthy published his first novel under his own name. Titled ‘The Island Pharisees’, the story is about an unusual young man called Richard Shelton. Galsworthy considered this book to be one of his most important works.

Two years later in 1906, Galsworthy published his first play, ‘Silver Box’. It depicts how different standards of justice are applied to people belonging to different classes and how theft by a rich and a poor man attract different repercussion. It was much appreciated by the critics.

In 1906, he also published ‘Man of Property’, which was later included in his famous trilogy ‘The Forsyte Saga’. Through this work, Galsworthy launched a scathing attack on upper middle class families, to which he himself belonged.

He then continued writing a number of novels, short stories and plays. Although he is now more famous as a novelist, initially he was better known as a playwright. ‘Strife’, written in 1907, is one of his most successful plays. It portrays the confrontation of labour and capital.

Interestingly, ‘Strife’ was initially refused by several theatre managers. Ultimately, it opened on March 9, 1909 at Duke of York’s Theatre and received good reviews. By and by, it opened in other theatres and became very popular. The play has also been adapted for several television productions.

Through his dramas, Galsworthy tried to project different social grievances. His next play, ‘Justice’, enacted in 1910, was part of a campaign to reform prisons. It portrayed life inside the prison very realistically. The feeling it roused ultimately led to prison reforms.

When the World War I set in, Galsworthy tried to join military service; but was refused. So he joined a hospital in France as an orderly and continued writing.

In 1917, he was offered knighthood by Prime Minister David Lloyd George. However, he believed that a writer’s reward should come from writing and so he refused it. His plays continued to address social issues like women’s rights, class system and censorship.

In 1921, Galsworthy cofounded PEN International, an international club for authors and became its first president. He served in that capacity until 1932, after which the responsibility was taken over by H. G. Wells.

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Major Works

John Galsworthy is best remembered for his trilogy ‘The Forsyte Saga’. First published under that name in 1922, it is actually a series of three novels and two interludes written between 1906 and 1921. These books chronicle the life of three generations in an upper middle class extended family, almost similar to his own.

’The Skin Game’ (1920) and ‘Loyalties (1922) are two of his best known plays. Among them, the former had been made into films twice in a decade. However, Galsworthy considered ‘Loyalties’ to be his best. In an interview, he had said that it was his only play, which he knew, no theater manager would refuse.

Awards & Achievements

In 1919, John Galsworthy received Belgian Palmes d'Or.

On June 3, 1929, he was awarded the Order of Merit by King George V of the United Kingdom. He was earlier offered knighthood but refused.

In 1932, John Galsworthy received the Nobel Prize in Literature. However, at that time he was too ill to receive the award in person and died within six weeks of it.

Personal Life & Legacy

A love affair between John Galsworthy and Ada Nemesis Pearson Cooper began in 1985. This was in spite of the fact that she was the wife of his first cousin Major Arthur Galsworthy. For ten years they met clandestinely in a farmhouse in Devon. It is said that Irene in ‘The Forsyte Saga’ was modeled after Ada.

The couple got married on September 23, 1905, after Ada’s divorce came through. They did not have any children and remained together till his death in 1933.

Towards the end of his life Galsworthy developed brain tumor and died on January 31, 1933 in his London home. His body was cremated and the ashes were scattered over the chalk hills of South Downs. A memorial was erected in his honor at the Highgate New Cemetery in North London.

Another memorial was sculpted by well-known artist Eric Gill and placed in the cloisters of his alma mater New College, Oxford.

In Kingston, a road and a hospital have been named after Galsworthy. The Kingston University has also dedicated a new building to his name.

Facts About John Galsworthy

John Galsworthy was an avid animal lover and often incorporated his love for nature and animals into his writings.

Galsworthy was known for his meticulous attention to detail in his writing, spending hours perfecting each sentence to ensure it conveyed the right message.

Despite being a highly successful author, Galsworthy remained humble and grounded, often engaging with fans and fellow writers on a personal level.

Galsworthy had a keen interest in social issues and used his platform as a writer to advocate for various causes, such as animal welfare and social justice.

In addition to his literary talents, Galsworthy was also a proficient artist and enjoyed painting in his free time, finding it to be a therapeutic and creative outlet.

John Galsworthy Biography

You wanted to know

What are some famous works by John Galsworthy?

What themes are commonly explored in John Galsworthy's literature?

How did John Galsworthy's writing style influence modern literature?

What was John Galsworthy's stance on social justice and reform?