English literature

Herbert George Wells

Biography

Herbert George Wells (09/21/1866 - 08/13/1946) was born on September 21, 1866 in Bromley, a small town near London. His father and mother worked in the past as a gardener and maid in a rich estate, and later began to own a small china shop. However, the trade generated almost no income, and the family lived mainly on the money that the father, being a professional cricketer, earned by playing. When H. G. Wells while still a teenager, his father broke his leg, thereby losing his earnings. The mother was forced to get a job as a housekeeper, and the children were assigned to the manufacturing trade. Fourteen-year-old HG Wells, who hoped to become a scientist, was forced to work as a janitor and cashier. Then Herbert worked as a laboratory assistant in a pharmacy, served as an elementary school teacher. Nevertheless, at the cost of hard work, he managed to pass the exams for a scholarship to higher education. educational institution which trained teachers of natural and exact sciences. By the age of twenty-three, he had earned a degree in biology. In 1893, H. G. Wells was professionally engaged in journalism, his articles and essays appear in periodicals. Some of them were later included in the collection Selected Conversations with Uncle, published in 1895. In the same year, his science fiction novel The Time Machine was published, and soon the collection of short stories The Stolen Bacillus and Other Incidents. These works bring the young Wells wide fame. Later novels such as "The Island of Dr. Moreau", "The Invisible Man" and "War of the Worlds" only add to his popularity. From that time on, H.G. Wells dedicates himself definitively to literary activity. With the outbreak of World War I, the writer had a severe creative crisis. At the beginning of the war, Wells publishes a series of articles on wartime issues. Then they came out as a separate book under the title "The War to End Wars." This book reflected the mood of broad layers of the intelligentsia. Among Wells' publicistic works of this period, one can distinguish the book "Russia in the Dark", which is a record of the impressions that Wells endured after his short trip to Petrograd and Moscow in the autumn of 1920. During his stay in Moscow, Wells was received by Vladimir Lenin and talked with him. The period of Wells' creative crisis dragged on almost until the end of the twenties. In 1926 the novel The World of William Clissold was published, in 1928 the novel Mr Blettsworthy on Rampole Island and the treatise Open Conspiracy were published. Wells considered one of the most successful works "Labor, Wealth and Happiness of the Human Race", published in 1932 during the Great Patriotic War the writer advocated Soviet Union. HG Wells died on August 13, 1946 in London. Wells left behind a great creative legacy. His novels, short stories, numerous journalistic works are very diverse both in subject matter and in life material that attracted the attention of the writer.

September 21, 1866 in the small town of Bromley, near London, the famous British writer Herbert George Wells was born in the future. Parents worked as a servant in a rich estate, and later became the owners of a porcelain shop. Trade was not in the best way, so the family lived on the money that his father earned playing cricket.

When Herbert was 14 years old, the head of the family broke his leg, thus losing his earnings. The teenager was forced to get a job in a shop, then in a pharmacy, and later works as a teacher in primary school. Having successfully passed the exams, he enters the university and at the age of 23 receives a degree in biology and begins to publish.

During the First World War, HG Wells begins a real creative crisis, which lasted for a decade. During this entire period, the writer published only a few notes on military topics. Also in 1914, he first visited Russia, in St. Petersburg. In the early 20s, Herbert again visits Russia, this time he is staying in the capital, where he personally meets with Lenin. This meeting shocked Wells and therefore, upon returning home, he publishes a book called Russia in the Dark. On July 23, 1934, Wells again visits the USSR and meets with Stalin. During World War II, the writer openly spoke in support of the Soviet Union.

Herbert Wells brief biography is set out in this article.

H.G. Wells short biography

Herbert George Wells- English writer and publicist. Author of well-known science fiction novels "Time Machine", "The Invisible Man", "War of the Worlds" and others. A representative of critical realism. Supporter of Fabian socialism.

Was born September 21, 1866 in Bromley, a suburb of London. His father was a shopkeeper and professional cricketer, and his mother was a housekeeper. At first he studied at the classical school Midhurst.

He was educated at King's College, University of London, graduating in 1888. By 1891 he received two academic titles in biology, since 1942 he was a doctor of biology.

After an apprenticeship with a manufactory merchant and working in a pharmacy, he was a teacher at a school, a teacher of the exact sciences and an assistant to Thomas Huxley. In 1893 he took up journalism professionally.

Wells became famous with his first work, The Time Machine, in 1895. Shortly after the publication of this book, Wells wrote the following: The Island of Doctor Moreau (1895); The Invisible Man (1897), and his most famous work, The War of the Worlds (1898).

From 1903 to 1909, Wells was a member of the Fabian Society, which advocated caution and gradualism in politics, science, and public life.

Between 1924 and 1933 Wells lived mainly in France. From 1934 to 1946 he was international president of PEN.

Wells lived in London and the Riviera, lectured frequently and traveled extensively.

He was married twice: from 1891 to 1895. on Isabella Mary Wells (divorced), and from 1895 to 1928. - Amy Catherine Wells (nee Robbins, died of cancer). The second marriage produced two sons.

In 1920, Wells met Maria Ignatievna Zakrevskaya-Budberg (there is reason to consider her an NKVD agent), who became his mistress. Communication resumed in 1933 in London, where she emigrated after parting with Gorky. M. Budberg's close relationship with Wells continued until the writer's death, he asked her to marry him, but she resolutely rejected this proposal.

• Wells G.J. An Autobiographical Experience: The Discoveries and Conclusions of a Quite Common Mind (beginning in 1866).(Experiment in Autobiography: Discoveries and Conclusions of a Very Ordinary Brain (since 1866)) Author: Herbert George Wells. The publication was prepared by Yu.I. Kagarlitsky. Managing editor E.P. Zykov.
  (Moscow: Publishing house "Ladomir", Publishing house "Nauka", 2007. - Series "Literary monuments")
  Scan, processing, Djv format: mor, 2011; Not published at the request of the Ladomir publishing house
• CONTENT:
  Herbert George Wells. EXPERIENCE OF AUTOBIOGRAPHY. Translation by Yu.I. Kagarlshkogo (vol. I), N.A. Trauberg (vol.II)
  Volume One
  Chapter I. INTRODUCTORY
  1. Prelude (1932) (7).
  2. "Person" and individuality (12).
  3. My mental and physical qualities (15).
  Chapter II. ORIGIN
  1. High Street, Bromley, Kent (20).
  2. Sarah Neal (1822-1905) (22).
  3 Up Park and Joseph Wells (1827-1910) (27).
  4. Sarah Wells at Atlas House (1855-1880) (34).
  5. Broken leg, some books and pictures (1874) (41).
  Chapter III. SCHOOLBOY
  1. Mr. Morley's Commercial Academy (1874-1880) (45).
  2. The World as Perceived by a Teenager (1878-1879) (52).
  3. Mrs. Wells - housekeeper at Up Park (1880-1893) (60).
  4. First entry into life. Windsor (Summer 1880) (62).
  5. Second entry into life. Wookiee (winter 1880) (68).
  6. Interlude at Up Park (1880-1881) (72).
  7. Third entry into life. Midhurst (1881) (75).
  Chapter IV. EARLY YOUTH
  1. The fourth entry into life. Southsea (1881-1883) (79).
  2. HAML and Freethinker. Preachers and reading room (87).
  3. Fifth entry into life. Midhurst (1883-1884) (93).
  4. First acquaintance with Plato and Henry George (96).
  5. Questions of conscience (103).
  6. Walking with father (105).
  CHAPTER V THE NATURAL STUDENT IN LONDON
  1. Professor Huxley and Biology (1884-1885) (109).
  2. Professor Guthrie and Physics (1885-1886) (113).
  3. Professor Judd and Geology (1886-1887) (124).
  4. Dissatisfied student looking for a place in life (1884-1887) (128).
  5. Socialism (without a competent successor) and the reconstruction of the world (133).
  6. Background of student life (1884-1887) (147).
  7. Heart passion (155).
  Chapter VI. STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE
  1. The sixth entry into life, or Around the bush (160).
  2. Blood in the sputum (1887) (165).
  3. Second raid on London (1888) (172).
  4. Henley House School (1889-1890) (176).
  5. University Correspondence College (1890-1893) (186).
  6. Departure for journalism (1893-1894) (197).
  7. Illustrative examples (210).
  Volume two
  Chapter VII. dissecting myself
  1. Polyphonic fugue (228).
  2. First affection (230).
  3 Modus vivendi (237).
  4. How I write about gender issues (246).
  5. Once again about novels (256).
  Chapter VIII. FINALLY GETTING ON MY FEET
  1. Conversations with hearth(1894-1895) (265).
  2. Linton, Station Road, Woking (1895) (280).
  3. Heatherley, Worcester Park (1896-1897) (289).
  4. New Romney and Sandgate (1898) (298).
  5. Several instructive meetings; different people and Temperaments (1897-1910) (301).
  6. We are building a house (1899-1900) (322).
  Chapter IX. THE IDEA OF A PLANNED WORLD
  1. "Foresight" (1901) and the New Republic (323).
  2. Samurai in Utopia and in the Fabian Society (1905-1909) (330).
  3. "Planning" in the Daily Mail (1912) (333).
  4. Great War and my appeal to "God" (1914-1916) (335).
  5. Military experience of a person not liable for military service (342).
  6. World state and the League of Nations (350).
  7. World education (364).
  8. world revolution (372).
  9. The work of the brain in general and the mind in a key position (384).
  10. Conclusion (423).
  ADDITIONS
  Herbert George Wells. LOVED WELLS. Postscript to the "Experience of an Autobiography". Translation by R.E. Oblonskaya (427).
  J.-F. Wells. What is Wells in Love (427).
  Prologue. opening speech to The Book of Catherine Wells (431).
  Chapter I. OF LOVE STORIES AND THE GHOST OF THE BELOVED
  1. Ghost of the Beloved (447).
  2. Ghost of the Beloved in Pimlico and Soho (451).
  3. Duza (457).
  4. Episode with Little Elizabeth (470).
  5. Rebecca West (475).
  6. Psychological and parental (487).
  7. A glaring change in Odette Kuhn (490).
  8. Release and attempt to persuade (507).
  9. Mura - broad soul (520).
  10. Age takes its toll: thoughts of suicide (546).
  Chapter II. FINAL STAGE
  1. Diary sheets (548).
  2. An entry made with the other hand (564).
  3. On the publication of the Postscript (566).
  4. Record of fate and individuality (568).
  Wilfred B. Betterave. A DETAILED HISTORY OF ONE LITERARY SCAM. Translation by V.R. Zakrevskaya (569).
  APPS
  Yu.I. Kagarlshkzh. Race against time (581).
  E.P. Zykova, M.I. Tugushev. G.-J. Wells and English tradition non-fiction (637).
  Notes. Compiled by Yu.I. Kagarlitsky (655).
  The main dates of the life and work of G.-J. Wells (695).
  Name index. Compiled by Yu.I. Kagarlitsky, A.A. Sifurov (698).

Publisher's note: Starting to write memoirs, the author had no idea what place they would take in his work. At first, the memoirs consisted of two volumes. Over time, another one was added to them, “Wells in Love”, about relationships with women. As a result, "Experience" turned out to be one of the most books read Wells, vying in popularity with his best science fiction novels.
The book contains reflections not only on questions of literature. The venerable writer appears before us as a sociologist, philosopher, biologist, historian, but most importantly - as a great personality, great even in his weaknesses and shortcomings. The bitterness of some memories does not "corrode" their wisdom and humanity.
The Experience of Autobiography is one of the most important literary documents of the 20th century.
Published in Russian for the first time.

Herbert George Wells. Born September 21, 1866 in Bromley, UK - died August 13, 1946 in London, UK. English writer and publicist. Author of well-known science fiction novels "Time Machine", "The Invisible Man", "War of the Worlds" and others. A representative of critical realism. Supporter of Fabian socialism.

He visited Russia three times, where he met with and.

His father, Joseph Wells (Joseph Wells), and mother, Sarah Neal (Sarah Neal), worked in the past as a gardener and maid in a wealthy estate, and later became the owners of a small china shop. However, the trade brought almost no income, and basically the family lived on the money that the father, being a professional cricketer, earned by playing. When the boy was eight years old, he was “lucky,” as he himself put it, to break his leg. It was then that he became addicted to reading. At the same age, Herbert Wells entered Mr. Thomas Morley's commercial academy, which was supposed to prepare him for the profession of a merchant. However, when Herbert was thirteen years old, his father broke his hip, and with cricket The training was considered completed, and Herbert had to start an independent life.

He was educated at King's College, University of London, graduating in 1888. By 1891 he received two academic titles in biology, since 1942 he was a doctor of biology.

After an apprenticeship with a manufactory merchant and working in a pharmacy, he was a teacher at a school, a teacher of the exact sciences and an assistant to Thomas Huxley. In 1893 he took up journalism professionally.

In 1895, Wells wrote his first work of fiction, The Time Machine, about an inventor's journey into the distant future.

In 1895, 10 years before Minkowski, he announced that our reality is a four-dimensional space-time ("Time Machine"). In 1898, he predicted wars with the use of poison gases, aviation and a device like a laser ("War of the Worlds", a little later - "When the Sleeper Wakes", "War in the Air"). In 1905, he described the civilization of intelligent ants ("Kingdom of Ants"). The novel The World Set Free (1914) mentions the Second World War, unleashed in the 1940s; there is" atomic bomb” (that’s exactly what it was called), dropped from an airplane and based on the splitting of the atom.

In 1923, Wells was the first to introduce parallel worlds into science fiction ("People are like gods"). Wells also discovered such ideas, later replicated by hundreds of authors, such as anti-gravity ("The first people on the moon"), the invisible man, the accelerator of the pace of life, and much more.

However, all these original ideas were not an end in itself for Wells, but rather a technical device that aimed to more clearly highlight the main, socially critical side of his works. Thus, in The Time Machine, he warns that the continuation of the irreconcilable class struggle can lead to the complete degradation of society. AT recent decades Wells' creativity has completely moved away from science fiction, but his realistic works are much less popular.

From 1903 to 1909, Wells was a member of the Fabian Society, which advocated caution and gradualism in politics, science, and public life.

In 1933 he was elected president of the PEN Club.

H.G. Wells has been to Russia three times. For the first time in 1914, then he stayed at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg at 39 Morskaya Street. The second time, in September 1920, he had a meeting with Lenin. At this time, Wells lived in the apartment of M. Gorky in the tenement house of E.K. Barsova at 23 Kronverksky Prospekt.

About his first visit to the Bolshevik state, Wells wrote the book Russia in the Dark. In it, among other things, he described in detail his meeting with Lenin and the essence of the difference in their positions: "This topic led us to our main disagreement, the disagreement between the evolutionary collectivist and the Marxist, to the question of whether a social revolution with all its extremes is needed, whether one economic system should be completely destroyed before another can be set in motion. I I believe that as a result of great and persistent educational work, the present capitalist system can become "civilized" and turn into a world collectivist system, while Lenin's worldview has long been inseparably linked with the provisions of Marxism about the inevitability of class war, the need to overthrow the capitalist system as preconditions for the restructuring of society, the dictatorship of the proletariat, etc."

On July 23, 1934, Wells again visited the USSR and was received by Stalin. Of this meeting, Wells wrote: “I confess that I approached Stalin with some suspicion and prejudice. An image was created in my mind of a very cautious, self-centered fanatic, despot, envious, suspicious monopoliser of power. I expected to meet a ruthless, cruel doctrinaire and self-satisfied highlander Georgian the spirit never fully escaped from its native mountain valleys... All vague rumors, all suspicions for me ceased to exist forever, after I talked with him for several minutes.I have never met a person more sincere, decent and honest; nothing dark and sinister, and it is precisely these qualities that should explain his enormous power in Russia".

Wells lived in London and the Riviera, lectured frequently and traveled extensively. He was married twice: from 1891 to 1895 to Isabella Mary Wells, and from 1895 to 1927 - to Amy Catherine (Jane) Robbins. In the second marriage, two sons were born: George Philip Wells (George Philip Wells; 1901-1985) and Frank Richard Wells (Frank Richard Wells; 1905-1982).

He died in London on August 13, 1946. At the funeral ceremony, John Boynton Priestley called Wells "a man whose word has brought light into the many dark corners of life." According to the will, after the cremation, the two sons, while on the Isle of Wight, scattered the ashes of the writer over the English Channel.

Films based on the works of HG Wells:

1919 - "The First Men in the Moon", directed by Bruce Gordon
1932 - "Isle of Lost Souls", directed by Earl Canton
1933 The Invisible Man directed by James Weil
1936 - The Face of the Future, directed by William Cameron Menzies
1953 - "War of the Worlds", directed by Byron Haskin
1960 - "The Time Machine", directed by George Pal
1964 - "The first people on the moon", directed by Nathan Yuran
1974 - "Wonderful Visit", directed by Marcel Carnet
1976 - "Food of the Gods", directed by Bert A. Gordon
1977 - "The Island of Dr. Moreau", directed by Don Taylor
1977 - "Empire of the Ants", directed by Bert I. Gordon
1979 - "Journey in a Time Machine", directed by Nicholas Meyer
1984 - "The Invisible Man", director Alexander Zakharov
1989 - "Food of the Gods 2", directed by Damian Lee
1996 - The Island of Dr. Moreau, directed by John Frankenheimer and Richard Stanley
2001 - The Fantastic Worlds of HG Wells, directed by Robert Young
2002 - "Time Machine", directed by Simon Wells, great-grandson of HG Wells
2005 - "War of the Worlds", director
2005 - "War of the Worlds", directed by Timothy Hines
2005 - HG Wells' War of the Worlds, directed by David Michael Latt
2010 - First Men on the Moon directed by Mark Gatiss

H. G. Wells was born in 1866 in Bromley, Kent. Wells' career may have been defined by an accident - as a child he broke both legs, and spent all the time at home, due to which he read a lot. Then Wells graduated from high school and received further education at the College of Education in London. It was at the College of Education that Wells studied under the famous biologist Tomasz Huxley, who had a strong influence on him. Wells' "science fiction" (although he never called it that) was clearly influenced by his studies at the Normal College and the interests he developed in biology.

Wells became famous with his first work, The Time Machine, in 1895. Shortly after the publication of this book, Wells wrote the following: The Island of Doctor Moreau (1895); The Invisible Man (1897), and his most famous work, The War of the Worlds (1898).

Over the years, Wells began to worry about the fate of human society in a world where technology and scientific development are advancing very rapidly. During this period he was a member of the Fabians (a group of social philosophers in London who advocated caution and gradualism in politics, science and public life). Wells wrote less now science fiction, but more works on social critical analysis.

After World War I, Wells published several scientific works, among them " Short story of the World (1920), The Science of Life (1929-39), written in collaboration with Sir Julian Hooksley and George Philip Wells, and Experiments in Autobiography (1934). During this time, Wells became a popular celebrity and continued to write extensively. In 1917 he was a member of the Research Committee of the League of Nations and published several books on world organization. Although Wells had many doubts about the Soviet system, he understood the broad aims of the Russian revolution, and had a rather pleasant meeting with Lenin in 1920. In the early 1920s, Wells was a Labor candidate for Parliament. Between 1924 and 1933 Wells lived mainly in France. From 1934 to 1946 he was international president of PEN. In 1934 he had conversations with Stalin, who disappointed him; and Roosevelt, trying, however, unsuccessfully, to offer him his own scheme for maintaining peace. Wells was convinced that Western socialists could not compromise with communism and that the best hope for the future lay in Washington. In The Holy Terror (1939), Wells described psychological development modern dictator, exemplified by the careers of Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler.

Wells lived through the Second world war in his Regent's Park, refusing to leave London, even during the bombing. His last book, Mind on the Edge (1945), expressed pessimism about the future prospects of mankind. Wells died in London on August 13, 1946.