John Galsworthy - The Foundations: "The beginnings and endings of all human undertakings are untidy."

Born into a wealthy family, John Galsworthy pursued law before turning to writing, influenced by friendships with notable figures like Joseph Conrad. His secretive affair with Ada Nemesis Pearson Cooper lasted a decade before their marriage in 1905. Galsworthy gained recognition for his plays and novels, particularly "The Forsyte Saga," which critiques upper-middle-class society and its moral constraints. A champion for social causes, he also served in World War I. Galsworthy's legacy includes the Nobel Prize and a significant impact on Edwardian literature.