# George Meredith

> British novelist and poet (1828–1909)

**Wikidata**: [Q90238](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q90238)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Meredith)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/george-meredith

## Summary

George Meredith was a British novelist and poet who lived from 1828 to 1909. He is recognized as a significant literary figure of the Victorian and Edwardian periods, known for his innovative prose style and psychological novels. In 1902, he was awarded the Order of Merit, a distinguished dynastic order recognizing distinguished service in Commonwealth realms.

## Biography

- **Born**: February 12, 1828
- **Died**: May 18, 1909
- **Nationality**: British (citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the historical sovereign state that existed from 1801 to 1922)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Novel writing and poetry; psychological fiction; innovative prose style
- **Employer(s)**: Not specified in source material
- **Field(s)**: Literature, poetry, novel writing

## Contributions

Based on the available source material, specific publications, projects, or concrete achievements are not detailed. However, the following can be established:

- **Literary Career**: Meredith was active as a novelist and poet during the Victorian and Edwardian eras
- **Recognition**: Awarded the Order of Merit in 1902, a prestigious dynastic order recognizing distinguished service in Commonwealth realms
- **Historical Context**: His work contributed to the literary landscape of Britain during the existence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801-1922)

## FAQs

**What was George Meredith's profession?**
George Meredith was a British novelist and poet, active during the Victorian and Edwardian periods of British literature.

**When did George Meredith live?**
George Meredith was born on February 12, 1828, and died on May 18, 1909, living most of his life during the Victorian era and into the early Edwardian period.

**What awards did George Meredith receive?**
George Meredith received the Order of Merit in 1902, a distinguished dynastic order recognizing distinguished service in Commonwealth realms, established in 1902.

**What was George Meredith's nationality?**
George Meredith was British, specifically a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, which was the historical sovereign state governing Britain and Ireland from 1801 to 1922.

## Why They Matter

George Meredith holds a place in British literary history as a novelist and poet working during a transformative period in British society. His recognition with the Order of Merit in 1902 indicates his standing as a distinguished figure in British cultural life at the turn of the twentieth century. The Order of Merit, established in 1902 during the reign of King Edward VII, was awarded to individuals who had rendered exceptionally meritorious service to the nation in any field. Meredith's receipt of this honor places him among the most distinguished Britons of his era, recognizing his contributions to literature and culture during a time when the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was at the height of its global influence.

## Notable For

- British novelist and poet (1828–1909)
- Recipient of the Order of Merit (1902)
- Active during the Victorian and Edwardian periods
- Citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (historical state, 1801-1922)
- Recognized as a significant literary figure in British literature

## Body

### Identity and Background

George Meredith was a British novelist and poet whose life spanned from February 12, 1828, to May 18, 1909. His existence bridged significant periods of British history, including the latter part of the Victorian era and the beginning of the Edwardian period. As a British citizen, Meredith held nationality within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the historical sovereign state that existed from 1801 to 1922, formed through the Acts of Union 1800, which united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland.

### Professional Career

Meredith's primary occupations included novelist, poet, writer, and prose writer. Throughout his career, he contributed to the rich literary tapestry of nineteenth and early twentieth-century Britain. His work as a novelist placed him among the literary figures who shaped Victorian and Edwardian fiction, a period characterized by remarkable diversity in literary styles and themes.

### Recognition and Honors

In 1902, George Meredith was awarded the Order of Merit, a prestigious dynastic order established to recognize distinguished service in Commonwealth realms. This honor, instituted in 1902, placed Meredith among the most honored individuals in British society. The Order of Merit remains one of the highest civilian honors in the British honours system, awarded to those who have made exceptionally meritorious contributions to the nation in any field.

### Historical Context

Meredith lived and worked during a pivotal era in British history. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, of which he was a citizen, represented a significant period of British political consolidation. This state existed from January 1, 1801, until December 6, 1922, when it was succeeded by the modern United Kingdom following the establishment of the Irish Free State. During Meredith's lifetime, Britain experienced tremendous expansion in industry, empire, and cultural influence, positioning it as one of the world's foremost powers.

### Legacy and Significance

While the specific details of Meredith's literary output are not fully enumerated in the source material, his recognition through the Order of Merit indicates that his contributions to literature were considered among the most distinguished of his time. The award placed him in the company of other notable recipients who had rendered significant service to the nation, reflecting the high regard in which he was held by his contemporaries and the British establishment.

### Personal Identifiers

George Meredith is associated with numerous bibliographic and identification systems, reflecting his presence in various academic and cultural databases. These include identifiers from Wikidata, the Library of Congress, the National Library of France, the National Library of Australia, and various other national libraries and cultural institutions, indicating his lasting presence in literary and academic collections.

## References

1. Meredith, George (DNB12)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
4. Concise Literary Encyclopedia
5. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
6. BnF authorities
7. [Source](https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/11959/lot/103/)
8. Library of the World's Best Literature
9. Find a Grave
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. MusicBrainz
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. SNAC
14. Discogs
15. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
16. Babelio
17. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
18. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index11.html)
21. nobelprize.org
22. BBC Things
23. Goodreads
24. LIBRIS. 2012
25. Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno
26. Catalogo of the National Library of India