short biography of rudyard kipling

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Rudyard Kipling

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born December 30, 1865, in Mumbai, India, to a British family. When he was five years old, he was taken to England to begin his education, where he suffered deep feelings of abandonment and confusion after living a pampered lifestyle as a colonial. He returned to India at the age of seventeen to work as a journalist and editor for the Civil and Military Gazette in Lahore. Kipling published his first collection of verse, Departmental Ditties and Other Verses, in 1886 and his first collection of stories, Plain Tales from the Hills, in 1888.

In the early 1890s, some of Kipling’s poems were published in William Ernest Henley’s National Observer and later collected in to Barrack-Room Ballads (1892), an immensely popular collection which contained “Gunga Din” and “Mandalay.” In 1892, Kipling married and moved to Vermont, where he published the two Jungle Books and began work on Kim . He returned to England with his family in 1896 and published another novel, Captains Courageous . Kipling visited South Africa during the Boer War, editing a newspaper there and writing the Just-So Stories . Kim, Kipling’s most successful novel (and his last), appeared in 1901. The Kipling family moved to Sussex permanently in 1902, and he devoted the rest of his life to writing poetry and short stories, including his most famous poem, “ If— .” 

Kipling died on January 18, 1936. His ashes are interred in Westminster Abbey.

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Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling was a journalist and one of the most famous English authors and poets during the nineteenth and twentieth century. He was best known for his short stories and poems set in India during the period of British rule over India. 

He was the first English writer to be awarded a Nobel Prize in 1907 for his powerful observation, remarkable talent of narration and imagination. He was also nominated several times for poet Laureateship and knighthood but he declined both.

A Short Biography of Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling was born on the 30th of December 1865 in Bombay, India. His father, John Lockwood Kipling, was a sculpture and pottery designer and a professor at Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy School of Art. He was an Anglo-Indian who had a British origin but was born in India.

In 1878, Rudyard Kipling was sent to England for education. He came back to Lahore, India in 1882 where he became a newspaper editor for the Civil and Military Gazette . In 1887 he moved to the Allahabad Pioneer , a newspaper that gave him more liberty in his writings.

In 1889, Rudyard Kipling returned to England and there he found that his stories had got him great fame. It made him a brilliant new author. He was welcomed among the circles of leading authors and literary circles. During his time there, he wrote some of his best poems such as A Ballad of East and West,  Mandalay and The English Flag.

Though his first novel The Light that Failed was not successful, he replaced Alfred Lord Tennyson as the most accepted and popular English author when his stories collection Life’s Handicap and the collection of his poems Barrackroom Ballads were published.

In 1892, he married Caroline Balestier, the sister of an American friend and settled in the United States. During this time he wrote some of his best works such as Many Inventions, The Jungle Book, The Second Jungle Book, The Seven Seas and Captains Courageous which not only made him a famous author but also earned him riches.

In 1907, he became the first English author to be awarded a Nobel Prize in literature. He died on the 18th of January 1936. He is buried in Westminster Abbey, in London England.

His autobiography, Something of Myself was written in 1937.

Rudyard Kipling’s Writing Style

Among his writings include fiction, non-fiction and poetry. He is admired worldwide both for his prose and verse form of writing. His writings are a result of careful observation of the realities of life rather than his own imagination.

It was during his seven years of job as an editor for a newspaper when he started writing short stories and poetry that earned him great fame. His writings were characterized by humour, pathos, imagination and descriptive power. His style of writing was technically sophisticated which is apparent from his Debits and Credits and Limits and Renewals.

Some of Rudyard Kipling’s writings are humanistic and encouraging in nature. Such as If, My Boy Jack and Gunga Din show the themes of human spirit and ethics. His writings also represent life and political elements from his time. 

His style is autobiographical, because of the need to share his traveling stories with his readers and encouraging because of his miserable childhood experiences at the boarding school in England.

Being an Anglo-Indian, he has also written about the East such as Kim with a touch of racism.

He has also adopted a satiric style in his verses, Departmental Ditties which were published in 1886 during his job for the newspaper. During the same period, he also wrote about the Anglo-Indian society and criticized it. One of his famous works Kim was also written about life in British India.

His fables, The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book attract readers of all ages which includes the magical aspects of nature. In which he has introduced the technique of indirect exposition , to solve the problem of English audiences who did not know much about Indian society. 

His works also include the effective use of literary techniques such as hyperbole, repetition, imagery etc.

Major Themes

Rudyard Kipling was a strong supporter of patriotism and the English Empire. Though some of his writings such as The Mother-Lodge and Gunga Din supported equality, universal peace and harmony to make the world a better place, at other places he wrote in favour of English rule over other countries which gave him a controversial and complex image.

Imperialism

Rudyard Kipling had a strong faith in imperialism and had strong support and enthusiasm for its expansion. For him, white men were highly developed and he felt it to be their duty to spread law, education and morality to the less developed nations. These views made him a racist , elitist and jingoistic .

During the Boers War, he spent several months in South Africa to raise funds for the English army and also wrote for an army newspaper, The Friend.

When he published The Five Nations , a book of South African Verse following the end of the Boer War in 1903, it caused his decline due to the anti-imperialist reactions. Though his support for imperialism made him a great favorite all over the nation and caused him great popularity, in the twentieth century it caused a reaction against him.

Masculinity and Manhood

The theme of manhood is clearly explained in Rudyard Kipling’s If and The Thousandth Man . The poems are a clear demonstration of English self-control and stoicism. He wrote about courage, bravery and a strong spirit which makes a man stronger. In his view, manhood is a set of certain qualities such as honesty, courage, stoicism in order to be strong enough to have a British stiff upper lip.

War and Soldiers’ Problems

Rudyard Kipling’s war poetry is very impressive in which he has encouraged and motivated the soldiers. He has also written about the problems that soldiers face at the frontline and when they return to England. 

He criticized the Government for not providing facilities to those who sacrifice their lives for the country. These young people who were dying for the English Empire were not well-treated and Rudyard Kipling wrote about it in Tommy, Danny Deever, Boots and Gentlemen Rankers.

Works Of Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling: 6 Facts About 'The Jungle Book' Creator

With several adaptions of the book hitting the big screen over the years, take a look at the original classic and its creator:

Kipling wrote The Jungle Book while living in the United States

Kipling had been good friends with American writer and editor Wolcott Balestier, and he ended up marrying Wolcott’s sister Caroline “Carrie” Balestier, in January 1892. The couple bought land from one of her other brothers, Beatty Balestier, in Vermont where they built their dream home, called “The Naulahka.” Naulakha means “jewel beyond price” in Hindi, according to the home’s website . The name is also shared with a book Kipling worked on with Wolcott Balestier.

Becoming a father inspired Kipling to write for children

He had started The Jungle Book around the time he and his wife were expecting their first child together. Daughter Josephine was born in 1892. According to BBC News, he gave her a special copy of The Jungle Book to his daughter, in which he wrote: "This book belongs to Josephine Kipling for whom it was written by her father, May 1894." The Kipling family soon grew to include daughter Elsie, born in 1895, and later son John in 1897. Sadly, Josephine only lived to be 6 years old. Both she and her father came down with pneumonia in 1899, and she ended up succumbing to the illness. Her death left Kipling heartbroken, and he never fully recovered from this tremendous loss.

Kipling never even visited the jungle mentioned in 'The Jungle Book'

Despite spending years in India, he chose to set his stories in the Seonee jungle (now known as Seoni), an area he’d never visited. Kipling instead drew from the experiences of others. According to Angus Wilson’s The Strange Ride of Rudyard Kipling: His Life and Works , Kipling saw photographs of this jungle taken by his friends, Aleck and Edmonia “Ted” Hill, and listened to their experiences there. He also likely found inspiration from the works of Robert Armitage Sterndale, including Mammalia of India , according to Martin Seymour-Smith’s Rudyard Kipling: A Biography . Others point to Sterndale’s 1877 book Seonee: Or, Camp Life on the Satpura Range , as an important influence on Kipling’s tales.

Another significant source was likely to be Kipling’s father

The elder Kipling was an illustrator, museum curator and art teacher. He produced Beast and Man in India: A Popular Sketch of Indian Animals in Their Relations with the People , which was published in 1891. John Lockwood Kipling also provided the images for some of his son’s works, including The Jungle Book and the 1901 novel Kim .

Another classic children’s tale, 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi,' also comes from 'The Jungle Book'

While most remember the Mowgli stories, they, in fact, only make up part of The Jungle Book . And like the Kipling’s tales about Mowgli, “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” explores the relationship between the human world and the animal world. In this case, a mongoose seeks to protect a family of humans from a pair of deadly cobras. This battle of mongoose versus cobras has enjoyed some success outside of The Jungle Book , having been published as a stand-alone picture book several times over the years. “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” was also turned into a 1975 animated short with Hollywood heavyweight Orson Welles voicing one of the cold-hearted cobras.

'The Jungle Book' has inspired countless adaptations

The first live-action film debuted in 1942, but the best-known movie version up until now was the 1967 animated Disney tale. Disney took a lot of license with the original story and transformed it into a feel-good family musical. One of its songs, “The Bare Necessities,” was even nominated for an Academy Award. An interesting mix of actors lent their voices to the project. Sebastian Cabot, best known for the TV show Family Affair , played Bagheera, and bandleader Louis Prima played King Louie of the apes. Phil Harris, who was Baloo, went on to voice another animated bear for Disney, playing Little John in 1973’s Robin Hood .

The voice of Mowgli, however, came from a rookie performer. Bruce Reitherman, the son of the film’s director Wolfgang Reitherman, played the endearing “man cub” in the film. He told the Express newspaper that “The voice of Mowgli required something special, in the sense that he had to be absolutely ordinary. It had to feel like a really average kid.”

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Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling is one of the most favorite English writers of all times, amongst the first masters of English short stories and also the first to use Cockney dialect in serious poetry. His early stories about life in colonial India were highly appreciated by readers. Also adding to his popularity was his support of English Imperialism. However, in the 20th century, the same support created a reaction against him.

Kipling’s father was a professor of architectural sculpture in the School of Art in Bombay, India where Kipling was born on December 30, 1865. In 1871, Kipling was sent to England where he began studying at United Services College, a boarding school in Devon. Along with studies, Kipling spent his time bullying, playing practical jokes and making strong bonds of friendship. Kipling later wrote about his amusing experiences at the school in Stalky & Co. (1899). Two of his closest friends at the school were George Beresford, Crom Price, the headmaster who encouraged the writer in Kipling by admiring his poems and also asking him to edit the school newspaper. Kipling’s first published work was a collection of poems he sent to his father in India who had them published privately in a collection named Schoolboy Lyrics (1881).

While on a long travelling trip to the United States, China and Japan, Kipling did not know about the popularity he was gaining back in London. Upon his return, Kipling realized he had become a literary celebrity. Kipling now wrote some of his most remembered poems A Ballad of East and West, Mandalay and The English Flag. Kipling also introduced the new genre of poems written in a Cockney dialect. Some of these poems include Danny Deever, Tommy, Fuzzy-Wuzzy and Gunga Din. His first novel, The Light That Failed was published in 1891. The novel did not achieve much success. However his collection of stories, Life’s Handicap (1891) and poems Barrackroom Ballads (1892) made him to the most popular English author.

Kipling spent the happiest four years of his life after marrying Caroline Balestier in 1892. He also wrote some of his best works during this time including Many Inventions (1893), The Jungle Book (1894), The Second Jungle Book (1895), The Seven Seas (1896) and Captains Courageous (1897). These works established Kipling as a serious writer who became a literary icon in the history of literature. In addition to fame, Kipling’s work also brought him immense monetary fortune, making him a rich man.

The Kiplings moved to Rottingdean, a village on the British coast near Brighton in 1897. When the Spanish American war broke in 1898, Kipling began writing about colonial affairs. He published a number of poems in London Times. The most famous of these poems were Recessional and White Man’s Burden. Kipling spent some time in South Africa during the Boer war where he worked on an army newspaper. In 1901, Kipling published the last of his works about life in India, Kim. There was a significant decline in Kipling’s popularity towards the end of the Boer war. He moved to a house near Burwash, a secluded village in Essex. After producing a number of more works in his later life and winning the Nobel Prize in 1907, Kipling died on January 18, 1936.

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Rudyard Kipling

Short stories.

For me, the "Anglo Indian" answer comes home when I combine that photograph with this excerpt from his autobiography, "In the afternoon heats before we took our sleep, she (the Portuguese ayah, or nanny) or Meeta (the Hindu bearer, or male attendant) would tell us stories and Indian nursery songs all unforgotten, and we were sent into the dining-room after we had been dressed, with the caution 'Speak English now to Papa and Mamma.' So one spoke 'English', haltingly translated out of the vernacular idiom that one thought and dreamed in." A young boy, in a land of "strong light and darkness" with dedicted story-tellers . . . the mystery of his identity and the origins of The Jungle Book seem to become more clear.

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Rudyard Kipling Biography and Work

Table of Contents

What is the work of Rudyard Kipling?,How many poems did Kipling write?,What is the writing style of Rudyard Kipling?,What is Rudyard Kipling’s most famous work?Who wrote Rudyard Kipling?,Did Kipling win the Nobel Prize?,Rudyard Kipling, born on December 30, 1865, in Bombay, British India, stands as a towering figure in late 19th and early 20th-century British literature. His versatile contributions span poetry, short stories, and novels, with iconic works such as “The Jungle Book” and the timeless poem “If—.” Rudyard Kipling Biography and Work

Early Life and Formative Years:  

Kipling’s childhood in India, where his father worked as an artist and teacher, immersed him in the vibrant cultural tapestry of the subcontinent. Sent to England at six for education, his experiences of isolation and mistreatment laid the foundation for future reflections in his work, notably seen in “Baa Baa, Black Sheep.”

Return to India and Emergence as a Writer: 

Returning to India at 17, Kipling delved into journalism, refining his craft. His first collection, “Departmental Ditties” (1886), marked the beginning of his literary journey, providing a glimpse into the observational wit that would characterize his later works.

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London Years and Literary Success: 

Relocating to London in 1889, Kipling’s literary career flourished. His evocative short stories and poems, drawing from his Indian experiences and exploring themes of imperialism, gained widespread recognition. London became the stage where Kipling’s reputation ascended rapidly.

Nobel Prize in Literature:  

Kipling’s literary prowess was officially recognized in 1907 when he became the first English-language writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. The accolade celebrated his storytelling mastery and the boundless power of his imagination.

World War I and Personal Tragedy:  

During World War I, Kipling fervently supported the British war effort. The conflict, however, brought personal tragedy as his only son, John, lost his life in 1915. The impact of this loss found expression in Kipling’s poignant poem “My Boy Jack.” Post-war, changing literary tastes contributed to a decline in Kipling’s popularity.

Legacy and Controversies:  

Rudyard Kipling’s legacy is a tapestry woven with both celebration and controversy. Revered for his imaginative storytelling and contributions to children’s literature, Kipling’s association with imperialist sentiments has ignited debates regarding his views on race and empire. His impact, nevertheless, remains significant in the literary landscape.

Major Works:

• A collection of stories set in the Indian jungle, including the adventures of Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves. This work showcases Kipling’s ability to weave imaginative tales with moral lessons.
• A novel set in British-occupied India, “Kim” follows the journey of an orphan boy, Kimball O’Hara, as he navigates the complexities of identity, espionage, and spirituality against the backdrop of the Great Game.
• A novella that explores themes of ambition, colonialism, and cultural clash as two British adventurers, Daniel Dravot and Peachey Carnehan, seek to establish their kingdom in Afghanistan.
• A novel telling the story of Harvey Cheyne, a spoiled American boy who learns valuable life lessons while working on a fishing schooner. Kipling explores themes of resilience, growth, and the sea.
• A collection of whimsical and fantastical stories, including “How the Elephant Got His Trunk” and “How the Camel Got His Hump.” These stories showcase Kipling’s skill in crafting tales for children.
• A renowned poem that imparts wisdom and stoic advice, “If—” has become one of Kipling’s most quoted and anthologized works. Its verses emphasize the virtues of patience, resilience, and self-discipline.
• A poem celebrating the selfless bravery of an Indian water bearer named Gunga Din, highlighting Kipling’s ability to capture the spirit and sacrifices of common people in the context of the British Empire.
• A poem that reflects Kipling’s views on imperialism and the responsibilities he believed came with it. It is considered controversial for its paternalistic tone and has been analyzed for its representation of colonial attitudes.

Writing Style:

• Kipling’s writing style is characterized by narrative richness, immersing readers in vivid and detailed descriptions of settings, characters, and cultural landscapes. His ability to paint a visual and sensory picture is evident in works like “The Jungle Book” and “Kim.”
• Kipling often incorporates dialects and vernacular speech into his works, particularly when depicting characters from diverse cultural backgrounds. This adds authenticity and depth to the narrative, reflecting his keen ear for language.
• Many of Kipling’s works, especially those for children, contain moral allegories and symbolic elements. “The Jungle Book,” for instance, uses animal characters to convey moral lessons and societal values.
• Kipling’s storytelling is imaginative and fantastical, blending elements of adventure, folklore, and allegory. “Just So Stories” exemplifies his ability to craft imaginative tales that captivate both children and adults.
• Kipling’s exploration of identity, particularly in the context of British-occupied India, is a recurring theme. “Kim” delves into the complexities of cultural clash, espionage, and the search for identity.
• Kipling demonstrated versatility by successfully navigating various literary genres, including novels, short stories, poems, and children’s literature. His ability to adapt his style to different forms showcases his literary dexterity.
• Kipling’s writing often reflects the imperial ideals of his time, portraying the British Empire as a force for order and civilization. This aspect is evident in works like “The White Man’s Burden.”
• In his poetry, Kipling frequently employs rhyme and rhythm, creating a musical quality that enhances the memorability of his verses. “If—” stands out as a prime example of his mastery in crafting poetic expressions.

In conclusion, Rudyard Kipling’s literary legacy is a testament to his ability to craft imaginative and morally resonant narratives that spanned various genres. From the enchanting tales of “The Jungle Book” to the complex exploration of identity in “Kim” and the timeless wisdom of “If—,” Kipling’s major works have left an indelible mark on literature. Rudyard Kipling Biography and Work

His writing style, marked by narrative richness, the use of dialects, and a versatile approach to different genres, showcases Kipling’s literary prowess. He demonstrated a keen understanding of the cultural landscapes he depicted, especially in the context of British imperialism in India. While celebrated for his storytelling, Kipling’s works also reflect the imperial ideals and societal attitudes of his time, sparking discussions and debates about his views on race and empire.What is the work of Rudyard Kipling?,How many poems did Kipling write?,What is the writing style of Rudyard Kipling?,What is Rudyard Kipling’s most famous work?Who wrote Rudyard Kipling?,Did Kipling win the Nobel Prize?,

Rudyard Kipling’s legacy endures as a literary giant whose contributions to children’s literature, poetry, and fiction continue to captivate readers across generations. His exploration of moral allegories, cultural clash, and the complexities of identity remains relevant, ensuring that Kipling’s influence extends far beyond his lifetime.

1. What are Rudyard Kipling’s major works?

Some of Rudyard Kipling’s major works include “The Jungle Book,” “Kim,” “Just So Stories,” “Captains Courageous,” “If—,” and “The Man Who Would Be King.”

2. How would you describe Rudyard Kipling’s writing style?

Rudyard Kipling’s writing style is characterized by narrative richness, the use of dialects, imaginative storytelling, and a versatility that allowed him to excel in various literary genres, from children’s literature to novels and poetry.

3. What themes does Kipling explore in his works?

Kipling explores a range of themes, including the complexities of identity, cultural clash, moral allegories, and the impact of British imperialism. His works often reflect the imperial ideals and societal attitudes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

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2. Author's Biography - Rudyard Kipling