Rudyard Kipling

English author Rudyard Kipling was a popular author in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Fast Facts:

1. Born: December 30, 1865
2. Birthplace: Bombay, India
3. Published Six novels, Six non-fiction books, many poems and short stories
4. Known as an innovator of the short story
5. Awarded 1907 Nobel Prize in Literature (youngest ever)
6. Died: January 18, 1936
7. Most Popular Works: If-, Kim, Gunga Din, The Jungle Book, and Captains Courageous

Background

Rudyard Kipling was born in December of 1865 to Alice and John Kipling in Bombay, India. Kipling was named after Rudyard Lake in England where his parents had met and began their courtship. John Kiping served as a principal and professor of architectural sculpture at the School of Art and Industry. From is birth and upbringing in the realm of the British Empire, Kipling would draw his ideas and concepts about imperialism.

Travels and Exploits

In 1878 Kipling ws admitted into the United Services College. He returned to his birth town of Bombay in 1872 and visited Simla for the first time, which was the summer capital of British India. In 1889 he traveled to San Francisco via Hong Kong and Japan, all the while writing his traveling exploits for The Pioneer periodical. In 1892 he married Carrie Balestier and moved to Brattleboro, Vermon. However, in 1896 the couple returned to England, settling down in Torquay, Devon.

Controversy

Early editions of Kipling's work often contained a swastika symbol near his imprinted signature. Some thought during the 1930s that this was a sign of his support of the Nazi regime. However, Kipling derived the use of the swastika from India, where it stood for good luck and well being. Following the Nazi party's adaptation of the swastika in the 1920s, Kipling had it removed from the printing of any future editions of his books. He made it clear that he did not support or want to be associated with Hitler's new order.

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