English Society (ePub)

George Du Maurier (1834-1896) was a distinguished British-French cartoonist and author, best known for his work as an illustrator for the satirical magazine Punch and for his novels that provide a social commentary on the mores of Victorian society. Born in Paris to a French father and English mother, Du Maurier was raised in an environment steeped in artistic and intellectual pursuits, which influenced his literary and illustrative career. He moved to England to study at the Royal College of Art in London and subsequently built his reputation as a gifted illustrator. His talents extended to writing fiction, wherein he often critiqued the very society that he was a part of. His most significant literary contribution is 'Trilby' (1894), a novel that tells the tale of a young artist's model and the hypnotic power one man holds over her, introducing the character Svengali, who has since become a symbol of manipulative villainy. However, another noteworthy work is 'English Society', which offers insights and commentary on the nuances of social conduct and hierarchy in Victorian England. Through keen observation and wit, Du Maurier's writings capture the essence and eccentricities of English life, delivered with a mix of satire and sentimentality that was both beloved and pithily critical of the era's societal norms.