Kipling

Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) was a British writer and poet whose works blend adventure, fantasy, and observations on empire and childhood. Born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, he spent his early years there before being sent to England for schooling. He later worked as a journalist and writer in India, and his experiences in the subcontinent shaped much of his fiction and verse.

His best-known works include The Jungle Book (1894), a collection of animal stories for children; Kim (1901), a novel set in British India; and Just So Stories (1902). His verse includes the famous If— and many ballads and narrative poems. He also produced Captains Courageous (1897), a nautical adventure novel. The White Man’s Burden (1899) is a controversial poem associated with imperialist attitudes of the era. In 1907 Kipling was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the youngest recipient of the prize at the time.

Kipling’s reputation declined in the latter part of the 20th century as critical perspectives on empire and colonialism evolved, but his work remains influential for its storytelling craft, lyrical language, and impact on both adult and children’s literature. He died in London in 1936, leaving a complex legacy and a body of work that continues to be read and studied.