William Makepeace Thackeray - The Wolves and the Lambs: "If people only made prudent marriages, what a stop to population there would be!"

Born in India in 1811, the author faced early loss when his father died, leading to his return to England for education. Although initially struggling to apply his talents, he eventually produced a prolific body of work, including novels, articles, and lectures. His personal life was marked by challenges, including his wife's battle with depression and his own declining health. Despite these hardships, writing remained his driving force, earning him a prominent place in literary history, second only to Dickens.