Henry James

Henry James was born in 1843 into a wealthy family in New York City, where he developed a passion for literature amidst a backdrop of academic emphasis from his father, a noted social theorist. After briefly attending Harvard Law School and exploring writing in various periodicals, James found his literary voice with the serialized novel "Roderick Hudson" in 1875. His move to Europe that same year marked a pivotal shift, exposing him to influential literary circles and fostering relationships with renowned authors like Tennyson and Browning. Throughout the late 19th century, James published several acclaimed novels, including "The Portrait of a Lady" and "The Bostonians," although personal tragedies and commercial setbacks tempered his success.

James spent his final years in London, where he continued writing and contributed to the British war effort during World War I. He passed away in 1916, leaving behind a body of work that remains central to the study of American and British literature.