SUMMARY: H. G. Wells (September 21, 1866 – August 13, 1946) British Novelist, Teacher, Historian,Journalist
H. G. Wells Quotes
H. G. Wells Books
H.G. Wells, otherwise known as Herbert George Wells was a well known fiction and non-fiction writer. He is most known for his science fiction novels such as “The Time Machine” and “The War of the Worlds.” He was born on September 21 1866 in Bromley, Kent, England. Let’s take a closer look at his life and accomplishments.
H.G. Wells was the last born in the family of Joseph Wells and Sarah Neal. He was born at the Atlas House on 47th Street, Bromley in Kent County. They were a middle class family that purchased a china shop hoping to make some money with it but soon realized it would never amount to much at all. There were many things in the life of Herbert George Wells that pointed him in the direction he took. Some of the events are as follows:
1. 1833- Herbert George Wells became an assistant teacher at Midhurst Grammar School until he received a scholarship to the Royal College of Science (formerly known as the Normal School of Science). He became the first School President in 1909. He lived quite comfortably with a weekly allowance of twenty shillings a week.
2. 1874- When he was seven years old he had an accident that left him bedridden with two broken legs. As a young boy he decided to pass the time reading which greatly influenced and gave a spark to his imaginative writing career.
3. Late 1874- Herbert George Wells entered Thomas Morley’s Commercial Academy. This was a private school that he attended in 1880.
4. 1877- Joseph Wells has an accident fracturing his thighs and putting him completely out of work and placing the family in much need of an income. Herbert George was placed as an apprentice to various occupations to help with the family make some income. His experience as a draper was dismal but inspired writing for his novel “The Wheels of Chance” and “Kipps.”
5. After many disappointing apprentice-ships he ended up in Uppark which had an amazing library which Wells immersed himself into.
6. 1890- Herbert George Wells earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from the University of London
The Personal Side of H.G. Wells
After graduating Wells found himself with no source of income but was invited to stay with his Aunt Mary. He then met his cousin Isabel whom he married only a year later in 1891. The marriage lasted only three short years and Wells left her for another woman named Amy Catherine Robbins. They married in 1895 and had two sons; George Philip (1901), and Frank Richard (1903). Although legally wed to one woman, he had many affairs with other women and consequently other children. In 1909 he had a daughter named Anna Jane with the write Amber Reeves. And in 1914 he had another son named Anthony West by the feminist novelist Rebecca West, who was twenty six years younger than him. His wife Amy Catherine remained married to Wells until she died in 1927.
Wells, bestselling novel was called “Anticipations” which he wrote in 1901. It was a piece about anticipating what the world would be like in the year 2000 and hit many of our modern inventions right on the money. He also as a method of self expression did a lot of sketching which usually ended up in his diaries. His art covered many topics from political commentary, to his current romantic interests. A book has been recently published on his “picshuas” sketches. And not only was he a writer and artist, he also has etched his way into the world of gaming. He sought a more structured way to play war games and wrote “Floor Games” and “Little Wars” while searching for that structure. He is recognized and regarded today as the “Father of Miniature War gaming.”
H.G. Wells has left his mark on many different aspects of society today. A well known writer, artist, and gamer he overcame many grueling obstacles to get to where he wanted to go.
