born April 24, 1815, London, Eng.
died Dec. 6, 1882, London
English novelist.
He worked for the post office in England and Ireland from 1834 to 1867. Beginning in 1844 he produced 47 novels, writing mainly before breakfast at a fixed rate of 1,000 words an hour. His best-loved and most famous works are the six interconnected Barsetshire novels, including Barchester Towers (1857) and The Last Chronicle of Barset (1867). Depicting the social scene in an imaginary English county, they abound in memorable characters and atmosphere. The Palliser novels, dealing with political issues and featuring the character Plantagenet Palliser, include the sharply satirical The Eustace Diamonds (1872). Other works, such as He Knew He Was Right (1869), show great psychological penetration. The Way We Live Now (1875), with its ironic view of the Victorian upper classes, is especially highly regarded.
Anthony Trollope, oil painting by S. Laurence, 1865; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Courtesy of The National Portrait Gallery, London