This black-and-white photograph is a portrait of George Orwell, the influential British writer and political thinker, best known for his novels 1984 and Animal Farm. Orwell is depicted with a serious expression, short dark hair, and a thin mustache, reflecting his contemplative and intellectual persona. His works, which explore themes of totalitarianism, freedom, and social injustice, have left a lasting impact on literature and political discourse. This image is a classic representation of Orwell during his literary career.
This black-and-white photograph is a portrait of George Orwell, the influential British writer and political thinker, best known for his novels 1984 and Animal Farm. Orwell is depicted with a serious expression, short dark hair, and a thin mustache, reflecting his contemplative and intellectual persona. His works, which explore themes of totalitarianism, freedom, and social injustice, have left a lasting impact on literature and political discourse. This image is a classic representation of Orwell during his literary career.

George Orwell

Arts

Arts

Jun 25, 1903

-

Jan 21, 1950

Back

Back

Back

This black-and-white photograph is a portrait of George Orwell, the influential British writer and political thinker, best known for his novels 1984 and Animal Farm. Orwell is depicted with a serious expression, short dark hair, and a thin mustache, reflecting his contemplative and intellectual persona. His works, which explore themes of totalitarianism, freedom, and social injustice, have left a lasting impact on literature and political discourse. This image is a classic representation of Orwell during his literary career.

George Orwell

Arts

Arts

Jun 25, 1903

-

Jan 21, 1950

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

George Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, was born on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a British writer and, novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. George Orwell was his pseudonym, which he got from the River Orwell in Suffolk, which he loved. Orwell's works are easily understandable, contain elements of social themes, and oppose totalitarianism with the support of democratic socialism. He became famous for his works, such as "Animal Farm," a political allegorical novella, and the novel, "Nineteen Eighty-Four," which is still relevant in society and politics.

The early years of Orwell's life were characterized by the conflict between the upper-middle-class origins of his family and their relatively modest means. Eric's father, Richard Walmesley Blair, was a member of the Indian Civil Service working in the Opium Department. At the same time, his mother, Ida Mabel Blair, took Eric and his sister back to England in 1904. Orwell was educated at Eton College, and after that, he worked as an Imperial policeman in Burma, which affected his early writings. His first book was the semi-autobiographical novel, "Down and Out in Paris and London," published in 1933.

Orwell's political consciousness was raised during the period he fought for the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War, and he was also injured. He wrote about his experiences during the Spanish Civil War in the book "Homage to Catalonia." During the Second World War, Orwell worked for the BBC and wrote for different publications. His first significant work, "Animal Farm," published in 1945, brought him fame, and he moved to the island of Jura in Scotland to write another famous novel, "Nineteen Eighty-Four," published in 1949. Orwell's health began to fail him as he contracted tuberculosis, and he died on January 21, 1950.

Orwell's work can be considered relevant even today, given the acuteness of its observation on totalitarianism and the issues it raises on control, information, and freedom. The term 'Orwellian' has come to be used in English to describe the government's oppressive actions. Orwell's influence is confined to the literary domain and has permeated into culture and politics, a testimony of his being a writer for the truth.

Quotes

"In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

"War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."

"Big Brother is watching you."

"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."

"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past."

"Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows."

"The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history."

"Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them."

"The best books… are those that tell you what you know already."

"Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it."

"Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing."

"The object of power is power."

"We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness."

FAQ

What is George Orwell known for?

Orwell is one of the most popular British authors of the twentieth century, whose novels "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four" are based on the theme of totalitarianism and depict the oppressed society.

What contributed to the change of the name of Eric Arthur Blair to George Orwell?

Orwell chose his pen name from the River Orwell in Suffolk, which he liked, and George, which he thought was typical of the British.

How can the early life of George Orwell be linked to his writing?

His early life in British colonial India, education at the elite Eton College, and experience as a policeman in Burma shaped his views on social justice, imperialism, and totalitarianism, reflected in his work.

What did George Orwell support?

Orwell was a democratic socialist against totalitarianism and advocated for social justice, equality, and freedom.

What other works of George Orwell are there?

Other famous works of Orwell include "Down and Out in Paris and London," "The Road to Wigan Pier," and "Homage to Catalonia."

How and in what manner did Orwell transform after the Spanish Civil War?

The term 'Orwellian' is associated with oppressive government and totalitarian states, described in Orwell's works, mainly in "Nineteen Eighty-Four."

What does the term Orwellian mean?

The term 'Orwellian' is associated with oppressive government and totalitarian states, described in Orwell's works, mainly in "Nineteen Eighty-Four."

How did the work at the BBC influence Orwell and his writing?

Working at the BBC during the Second World War, Orwell faced themes of propaganda and censorship, which are depicted in his later novels, including "Nineteen Eighty-Four."

What are some of the problems illustrated in the novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four"?

In the novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four," Orwell raises themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, censorship, and manipulating the truth related to governments.

What has been the legacy of Orwell and his work and thinking up to the present?

Orwell is still remembered for influencing literature, political commentary, and the modern world, especially freedom, truth, and power.

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

George Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, was born on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a British writer and, novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. George Orwell was his pseudonym, which he got from the River Orwell in Suffolk, which he loved. Orwell's works are easily understandable, contain elements of social themes, and oppose totalitarianism with the support of democratic socialism. He became famous for his works, such as "Animal Farm," a political allegorical novella, and the novel, "Nineteen Eighty-Four," which is still relevant in society and politics.

The early years of Orwell's life were characterized by the conflict between the upper-middle-class origins of his family and their relatively modest means. Eric's father, Richard Walmesley Blair, was a member of the Indian Civil Service working in the Opium Department. At the same time, his mother, Ida Mabel Blair, took Eric and his sister back to England in 1904. Orwell was educated at Eton College, and after that, he worked as an Imperial policeman in Burma, which affected his early writings. His first book was the semi-autobiographical novel, "Down and Out in Paris and London," published in 1933.

Orwell's political consciousness was raised during the period he fought for the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War, and he was also injured. He wrote about his experiences during the Spanish Civil War in the book "Homage to Catalonia." During the Second World War, Orwell worked for the BBC and wrote for different publications. His first significant work, "Animal Farm," published in 1945, brought him fame, and he moved to the island of Jura in Scotland to write another famous novel, "Nineteen Eighty-Four," published in 1949. Orwell's health began to fail him as he contracted tuberculosis, and he died on January 21, 1950.

Orwell's work can be considered relevant even today, given the acuteness of its observation on totalitarianism and the issues it raises on control, information, and freedom. The term 'Orwellian' has come to be used in English to describe the government's oppressive actions. Orwell's influence is confined to the literary domain and has permeated into culture and politics, a testimony of his being a writer for the truth.

Quotes

"In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

"War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."

"Big Brother is watching you."

"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."

"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past."

"Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows."

"The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history."

"Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them."

"The best books… are those that tell you what you know already."

"Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it."

"Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing."

"The object of power is power."

"We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness."

FAQ

What is George Orwell known for?

Orwell is one of the most popular British authors of the twentieth century, whose novels "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four" are based on the theme of totalitarianism and depict the oppressed society.

What contributed to the change of the name of Eric Arthur Blair to George Orwell?

Orwell chose his pen name from the River Orwell in Suffolk, which he liked, and George, which he thought was typical of the British.

How can the early life of George Orwell be linked to his writing?

His early life in British colonial India, education at the elite Eton College, and experience as a policeman in Burma shaped his views on social justice, imperialism, and totalitarianism, reflected in his work.

What did George Orwell support?

Orwell was a democratic socialist against totalitarianism and advocated for social justice, equality, and freedom.

What other works of George Orwell are there?

Other famous works of Orwell include "Down and Out in Paris and London," "The Road to Wigan Pier," and "Homage to Catalonia."

How and in what manner did Orwell transform after the Spanish Civil War?

The term 'Orwellian' is associated with oppressive government and totalitarian states, described in Orwell's works, mainly in "Nineteen Eighty-Four."

What does the term Orwellian mean?

The term 'Orwellian' is associated with oppressive government and totalitarian states, described in Orwell's works, mainly in "Nineteen Eighty-Four."

How did the work at the BBC influence Orwell and his writing?

Working at the BBC during the Second World War, Orwell faced themes of propaganda and censorship, which are depicted in his later novels, including "Nineteen Eighty-Four."

What are some of the problems illustrated in the novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four"?

In the novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four," Orwell raises themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, censorship, and manipulating the truth related to governments.

What has been the legacy of Orwell and his work and thinking up to the present?

Orwell is still remembered for influencing literature, political commentary, and the modern world, especially freedom, truth, and power.

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

George Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, was born on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, Bengal Presidency, British India. He was a British writer and, novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. George Orwell was his pseudonym, which he got from the River Orwell in Suffolk, which he loved. Orwell's works are easily understandable, contain elements of social themes, and oppose totalitarianism with the support of democratic socialism. He became famous for his works, such as "Animal Farm," a political allegorical novella, and the novel, "Nineteen Eighty-Four," which is still relevant in society and politics.

The early years of Orwell's life were characterized by the conflict between the upper-middle-class origins of his family and their relatively modest means. Eric's father, Richard Walmesley Blair, was a member of the Indian Civil Service working in the Opium Department. At the same time, his mother, Ida Mabel Blair, took Eric and his sister back to England in 1904. Orwell was educated at Eton College, and after that, he worked as an Imperial policeman in Burma, which affected his early writings. His first book was the semi-autobiographical novel, "Down and Out in Paris and London," published in 1933.

Orwell's political consciousness was raised during the period he fought for the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War, and he was also injured. He wrote about his experiences during the Spanish Civil War in the book "Homage to Catalonia." During the Second World War, Orwell worked for the BBC and wrote for different publications. His first significant work, "Animal Farm," published in 1945, brought him fame, and he moved to the island of Jura in Scotland to write another famous novel, "Nineteen Eighty-Four," published in 1949. Orwell's health began to fail him as he contracted tuberculosis, and he died on January 21, 1950.

Orwell's work can be considered relevant even today, given the acuteness of its observation on totalitarianism and the issues it raises on control, information, and freedom. The term 'Orwellian' has come to be used in English to describe the government's oppressive actions. Orwell's influence is confined to the literary domain and has permeated into culture and politics, a testimony of his being a writer for the truth.

Quotes

"In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act."

"War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."

"Big Brother is watching you."

"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."

"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past."

"Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows."

"The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history."

"Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them."

"The best books… are those that tell you what you know already."

"Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it."

"Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing."

"The object of power is power."

"We shall meet in the place where there is no darkness."

FAQ

What is George Orwell known for?

Orwell is one of the most popular British authors of the twentieth century, whose novels "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four" are based on the theme of totalitarianism and depict the oppressed society.

What contributed to the change of the name of Eric Arthur Blair to George Orwell?

Orwell chose his pen name from the River Orwell in Suffolk, which he liked, and George, which he thought was typical of the British.

How can the early life of George Orwell be linked to his writing?

His early life in British colonial India, education at the elite Eton College, and experience as a policeman in Burma shaped his views on social justice, imperialism, and totalitarianism, reflected in his work.

What did George Orwell support?

Orwell was a democratic socialist against totalitarianism and advocated for social justice, equality, and freedom.

What other works of George Orwell are there?

Other famous works of Orwell include "Down and Out in Paris and London," "The Road to Wigan Pier," and "Homage to Catalonia."

How and in what manner did Orwell transform after the Spanish Civil War?

The term 'Orwellian' is associated with oppressive government and totalitarian states, described in Orwell's works, mainly in "Nineteen Eighty-Four."

What does the term Orwellian mean?

The term 'Orwellian' is associated with oppressive government and totalitarian states, described in Orwell's works, mainly in "Nineteen Eighty-Four."

How did the work at the BBC influence Orwell and his writing?

Working at the BBC during the Second World War, Orwell faced themes of propaganda and censorship, which are depicted in his later novels, including "Nineteen Eighty-Four."

What are some of the problems illustrated in the novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four"?

In the novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four," Orwell raises themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, censorship, and manipulating the truth related to governments.

What has been the legacy of Orwell and his work and thinking up to the present?

Orwell is still remembered for influencing literature, political commentary, and the modern world, especially freedom, truth, and power.

Life and achievements

Early life

George Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, was born on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, India. Eric's father, Richard Walmesley Blair, was a clerk in the Opium Department of the Indian Civil Service. However, his mother, Ida Mabel Blair, Eric, and his sister returned to England in 1904. Orwell's parents separated, and his mother, with two sisters, took him to Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, where Orwell was brought up.

Orwell entered St. Cyprian's School in Eastbourne and got a scholarship at Wellington and Eton colleges. However, being a lower-middle-class man, Orwell was less confident than he had to be in these institutions. Significantly. Cyprian's schools significantly influenced his essay "Such, Such Were the Joys," which attacked the British boarding school system.

Orwell left Eton and went to Burma, where he joined the Indian Imperial Police. His time in Burma is portrayed in his novel "Burmese Days" and essays such as "A Hanging" and "Shooting an Elephant." He became frustrated with imperial service and left Burma in 1927, returning to England to become a writer.

Orwell's first occupation as a writer was in journalism. He was relatively poor during this period, as depicted in his book "Down and Out in Paris and London." This period also saw him develop his political consciousness and concern for low-income people. He selected the pen name George Orwell, taken from the River Orwell located in Suffolk, so that he would not disgrace his family by having a writer in the family.

Legacy

Orwell's work has left a significant influence on the literary world and society, and even today, his works still affect people. Orwell's ideas on dictatorial governments and authoritarian states, including "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four," cannot be overemphasized in any discussion concerning surveillance, censorship, and individual freedom. The term 'Orwellian' is used to depict oppressive and authoritarian actions, thus underlining the relevance of his vision.

The social justice, poverty, and class inequality described by Orwell in "The Road to Wigan Pier" are topical today and continue to discuss economic inequality and social justice. His commitment to democratic socialism and his rejection of fascism and Stalinism are proof of his keen understanding of various political structures and their effects on people's liberty.

Orwell's impact continues after his writings. His essays, reviews, and journalistic works present an acute perspective on various aspects of culture and politics and influenced the literary style and journalism with his crusade for plain language.

In addition to his literary works, Orwell's biography, including his participation in the Spanish Civil War, work at the BBC, and health issues, contributes to his personality. He remained honest and passionate about the truth, inspiring many writers and philosophers of subsequent generations.

George Orwell's work is still widely known, and his novels are translated into many languages. Stage, screen, and television adaptations of his works make it possible for future generations to see the message he wanted to pass on. His fears about totalitarianism and the loss of the concept of truth are very relevant today, considering the problems of privacy, fake news, and authoritarianism.

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Your donation today shapes the future of how families and friends connect.
You will become a featured Ambassador.
Learn more ->
$5
$15
$25

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Come build your legacy!

Your donation today shapes the future of how families and friends connect.
You will become a featured Ambassador.
Learn more ->
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$15
$25

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Milestone moments

Jan 16, 1933

Release of the book titled "Down and Out in Paris and London."

Orwell's first book, "Down and Out in Paris and London," was published in January 1933. The book depicts his suffering in both cities, thus clearly painting a picture of the living conditions of the homeless and working-class individuals.

Critics applauded this work, and it paved the way for Orwell to be recognized as a writer who could depict the conditions of society and its vices and was a good writer.

This success led to Orwell's writing, journalism, and publishing career.

Aug 16, 1936

The Beginning of the Spanish Civil War

Orwell left for Spain in August 1936 to fight in the Spanish Civil War on the Republican Army's side. He joined the POUM militia and fought on the Aragon front, where he was injured.

These experiences in Spain were significant for Orwell and shaped his political views and opposition to totalitarianism.

This period of his life is depicted in the book "Homage to Catalonia," which is an autobiographical and political narration of the events that took place and is regarded as one of his finest works.

Aug 16, 1945

Publication of "Animal Farm"

Animal Farm, published in August 1945, became a bestseller. Using a farm and its animals, this novella is an allegory of the Soviet Union's deviation from socialism and the Russian Revolution.

The novel "Animal Farm" became a huge success, and Orwell became a well-paid writer on political affairs.

Jun 16, 1949

Publication of "Nineteen Eighty-Four"

Orwell's novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four," published in June 1949, portrays a bleak future in which the state rules the citizens.

The novel Nineteen Eighty-Four introduced terms such as Big Brother, thought police, and Newspeak into "ciety. The book Provo" ed the reader's significantly impacted readers, proving Orwell was a great and prophetic writer.

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