Chesterton, G. K. (1874-1936), was an English author known for his essays on almost every popular subject of his time. Chesterton also wrote biographies, fiction, and poetry. He played a major part in the literary life of London for almost 40 years.
Chesterton’s essays, though known for their wit and vigor, have lost the popularity they had during his lifetime. His detective stories, novels, and literary criticism now rank as his most widely read works. Chesterton’s best-known stories include a series of mysteries featuring Father Brown, a Roman Catholic priest, as the detective. In his novel The Napoleon of Notting Hill (1904), Chesterton created a fantasy in which an eccentric rules the London of the future. Chesterton also wrote a fantasy called The Man Who Was Thursday (1908), which centers on spies and detectives.
Critics consider Chesterton’s biographies his finest works. These writings include studies of Robert Browning, Charles Dickens, and other English authors.
Chesterton’s full name was Gilbert Keith Chesterton. He was born on May 29, 1874, in London and died on June 14, 1936.
