W. L. George
Walter Lionel George, commonly known as W. L. George, was a notable novelist and journalist born in Paris, France, in 1882 to British parents. He moved to England in 1905 and worked as an office worker until 1957, while also serving in the French Army during World War I. His literary career spanned from 1907 to 1926, during which he wrote primarily in English, having learned the language as an adult. George's most acclaimed work, "A Bed of Roses" (1911), tackled the struggles faced by women in England, depicting the harrowing journey of a widow forced into prostitution due to her circumstances. Despite the initial success of this novel, he found it challenging to replicate that acclaim in subsequent works, such as "City of Light" (1912), which faced criticism for its instructive tone. George is often recognized for his sharp social commentary and criticism of English societal norms, earning him the title of a "novelist with a conscience." His literary contributions are noted for their feminist themes and for blending narrative with sociological insights, establishing him as an important figure in early 20th-century literature focused on social issues.
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W. L. George
Fiction and Nonfiction Writer
- Born: 1882
- Birthplace: Paris, France
- Died: 1926
Biography
Although his parents were British subjects, Walter Lionel George was born in 1882 in Paris, France. He received his education in France and moved to England in 1905, where he began working as an office worker, a job that lasted until 1957. During World War I, he served in the French Army. He also worked as a journalist and writer between 1907 and 1926. Surprisingly, although he only learned English as an adult, he wrote in the English language. He married Helen Porter in 1908, Helen Agnes Madden in 1916, and novelist Kathleen Geipel in 1921. He had two sons from his second marriage.
His A Bed of Roses (1911) was enormously successful in bringing to light the plight of women in England. In it, the protagonist Victoria Fulton, a young widow, is forced into prostitution to survive after her abusive, alcoholic husband dies. Although she attempts to retain gainful employment as a housekeeper for a rich family, after the son Jack Holt forces his attentions on her, she begins work as a waitress. In time, she becomes ill, turns to opium for relief, and after her lover dies is finally forced into prostitution. However, she saves money, and after leaving the profession becomes respectable once again. While A Bed of Roses was George’s most popular novel, he was never again able to duplicate its success. His next novel, City of Light (1912), received negative criticism as being too didactic.
Although many were criticized for their attempts to promote social change, W. L. George’s novels remain recognized for their use of piquant social commentary and for their negative commentary on English social mores. Referred to by critics as a “novelist with a conscience,” the author responded that a novelist should always defend those in need. Referred to as an “authority on feminism,” George is recognized for his literary attempts to merge narrative and sociology.