William Makepeace Thackeray - The Second Funeral of Napoleon: "If a man's character is to be abused, say what you will, there's nobody like a relative

Born in India in 1811, the author faced early loss and a challenging personal life, including his wife's mental health struggles. Despite a promising education, he initially struggled with a strong work ethic but eventually channeled his talents into a prolific career, producing novels, articles, and lectures. His writing became a driving force amid his health issues, earning him recognition as one of the foremost writers of his time, second only to Dickens.