Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling was born on December 30, 1865 in Bombay, British India. He was the son of John Lockwood Kipling, a professor of architectural sculpture, and Alice Kipling. Kipling's birthplace plays a significant role in his early development and influences his later writings.

At the age of 12 in 1878, Rudyard Kipling was sent to boarding school in Devon, England. This period was difficult for Kipling and has been credited as inspiring the harsh school scenes depicted in his fiction such as 'Stalky & Co.'. Kipling's education in England furthered his command of English but marked a challenging time.

In 1888, Rudyard Kipling published 'Plain Tales from the Hills', a collection of short stories about life in British colonial India. These stories were highly successful and marked Kipling's rise to prominence as a writer with a keen understanding of colonial life and administration.

Rudyard Kipling married Caroline Balestier on January 18, 1892, in London. Caroline, also known as 'Carrie', was the sister of Kipling's friend and collaborator Wolcott Balestier. The couple settled in Vermont, USA, for a brief time, where Kipling wrote some of his most renowned works.

Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book' was published in 1894. This classic work is a collection of stories featuring the adventures of Mowgli, a 'man-cub' raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, as well as other tales featuring animal characters. The book was an immediate success and has remained a beloved work of children's literature ever since.

Rudyard Kipling's poem 'The White Man's Burden' was published in November 1899. This poem urged the United States to assume colonial control of the Filipino people and lands following the Spanish-American War. It has since become emblematic of imperial ideology and has been widely debated.

Rudyard Kipling's novel 'Kim' was published in December 1901. The novel is set in India and follows the adventures of an orphaned boy, Kimball O'Hara, and his journey through the complex cultural and political landscape of British India, exploring themes of identity and cultural differences.

Rudyard Kipling's 'Just So Stories for Little Children' was published on July 29, 1902. This collection of children's stories is notable for its delightful and whimsical explanations of various animal characteristics and has been a favorite among young readers for generations.

Rudyard Kipling was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on December 10, 1907. He was the first English-language writer to receive the prize and was also its youngest recipient at the age of 42. The Nobel Committee praised his innovation and storytelling which captivated audiences worldwide.

Rudyard Kipling passed away on January 18, 1936, at the age of 70. His death marked the end of an era for Victorian literature and British colonial influence in writing. Kipling's legacy includes not only his stories and poems but also his contributions to English literature and his complex views on imperialism.