As I research and write about these authors, I notice several similarities and differences. In ways, Kenneth Grahame is like many of our other aurthors, but in other ways he is very different. I did enjoy learning about this man of whom I knew nothing a few days ago, and I am happy to share this new knowledge with you. Early Life
Kenneth Grahame was born on March 8, 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland. When he was five years old, Grahame's mother died giving birth to her fourth child. Believing to be unfit (or just lazy), Grahame's father gave the four children to their grandmother to be raised. Granny Inglis lived on a large, spacious property near a river. The children loved this place, and it is believed that this is where Grahame received some of his inspiration for his timeless tale.
Unlike most of our authors, Grahame did not attend post-secondary school. Though he wished to go to Oxford, his grandmother believed it to be too expensive so he went to work at the Bank of England. He worked there quite well, being promoted to company secretary at thirty-nine, one of the youngest men to ever hold the position. Things were going well until one day in 1903 when a man came in demanding to see the Governor who was not there at the time. Grahame met him instead and was shot at three times (though not hit). His health and well being deteriorated after this, and he retired early in 1908.
Grahame married a woman named Elspeth in 1899 and they had one son, Alastair, who was nicknamed "Mouse". This boy would be an inspiratio to Grahame in the years to come.
Writing Career
Grahame was always writing. In his early twenties he was writing little stories for British magazines. He wrote several, somewhat autobiographical, stories about four orphaned children and their guardians that would be later published to great acclaim. His two compilations of short stories The Golden Age (1895) Dream Days (1898), though not greatly remembered now, were much loved when released. Dream Days contained the story The Reluctant Dragon, which would later be made into a Disney movie. It wasn't until ten years later that Grahame would publish his masterpiece.
The Wind in the Willows
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| Alastair Grahame |
When Alastair was about four years old, his father began telling him bedtime stories about a Toad. These stories would later be the basis of the last chapters of The Wind in the Willows. After this, Grahame vacationed alone for a while to regain his strength. During this time he wrote more stories, now including the Badger, the Mole, and the Rat, in letters to Alastair. Surpisingly, the first publishers rejected the story, but it was eventually published in October 1908. Reviewers, hoping for a third collection of short stories, gave it poor reception, but the public adored it. When President Theodore Roosevelt visited Oxford in 1910, he was asked who he would like to meet. The four men he asked for included Grahame and Rudyard Kipling.
Unfortunately, the book's success was hindered in the home of the Grahames. Alastair had beed born blind in one eye and with several health problems. When he began attending school, he saw himself as a misfit and didn't fit in very well. In 1920, while walking home, he crossed over a train track and was struck. While it was officially ruled as an accident, his life and feelings at that time pointed to suicide. The Grahames were devestated by the loss of their only son and spent most of the next four years abroad, staying far from home.
After the death of Alastair, Grahame wrote very little. This was a sad occurence not only for him, but for the literary world. To think of what could have been created had his life not have been turned upside down is painful. But what he did create has lasted the ages. The beautiful story of the lives of creatures along an English river is so unique and lovely. I am so saddend that a man who wrote such beauty was forced to live through such tradgedy. I admire Grahame for living on despite such pain. He was truly a great man.Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Grahame
http://www.kennethgrahamesociety.net/biography.htm
I actually have already heard that about Roosevelt and the poor critical reception. It's funny how the public and critics can often have such a different opinion. Regardless, he it seemed like he had an interesting formula; kind of like a modern day Aesop.
ReplyDeleteHuh, I never thought about the relation to Aesop, but that totally works. Instead of depiction every-day morals and lessons, Grahame wrote about basic character traits and how they interact in the world. That's so cool, thanks for pointing it out!
DeleteIt is interesting to see how linked writers are (even for children books) to the reality around them. Perhaps when his son died it became apparent how much of his stories were based on his and Aesop's relationship.
ReplyDelete