Rudyard Kipling

Who Was Rudyard Kipling?

Rudyard Kipling, a prominent English writer and poet, was born in India in 1865 and spent much of his early life there before being educated in England. He is best known for his works such as The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and various short stories and poems that reflect his unique experiences in British-ruled India. Kipling’s literary achievements were widely recognized, culminating in his receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907, making him the first English-language writer to win the prize. He passed away in 1936, leaving behind a significant literary legacy.

Early Years

Rudyard Kipling was born on December 30, 1865, in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, to British parents John and Alice Kipling, who had recently moved to India as part of the British Empire. His early years in India were filled with fascination for the local culture and environment, and he developed a deep affection for the country, which would later influence his writing. Alongside his younger sister, Alice, he explored the local markets and embraced the diverse cultural tapestry that India offered.

At the age of six, Kipling’s life changed dramatically when his mother decided to send him to Southsea, England, for a formal British education. He was placed in the care of a foster family, the Holloways, which proved to be a harrowing experience for him. Mrs. Holloway was a harsh and abusive guardian, and Kipling endured both physical and emotional hardship during his time there. Isolated and struggling at school, he found solace in books, immersing himself in the works of authors such as Daniel Defoe and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Kipling’s suffering continued until he reached the brink of a nervous breakdown. Eventually, a visitor noticed his poor condition and alerted his mother, who promptly returned to England to rescue him. Kipling’s mother then took him on a relaxing vacation before enrolling him in a new school in Devon, where he thrived and developed his talent for writing, eventually becoming the editor of the school newspaper.

The Young Writer

In 1882, Kipling returned to India as a young adult, marking a significant phase in his development as a writer. Immersed once again in the vibrant atmosphere of the country, Kipling quickly reconnected with its culture, language, and people. He took up residence with his parents in Lahore and, with the help of his father, secured a job as a journalist for a local newspaper. This position allowed him to explore India further, particularly during his nocturnal wanderings, where he observed both the British colonial society and the native population.

Kipling’s experiences during this period provided the foundation for many of his early writings. His stories, influenced by his exposure to both the British elite and the local Indian communities, were compiled into a collection of short stories titled Plain Tales From the Hills. The collection was well-received in England, garnering Kipling considerable recognition.

In 1889, Kipling returned to England, seeking to build upon his growing literary reputation. During this time, he formed a close friendship with Wolcott Balestier, an American publisher. The two traveled together to the United States, where Kipling was introduced to Brattleboro, Vermont, a place that would become his home for several years as he continued to write some of his most famous works.

Throughout his life, Kipling’s experiences in India, his time in England, and his travels around the world profoundly shaped his literary output, making him one of the most influential writers of his generation.

Rudyard Kipling’s Life in America

As Kipling’s reputation as a writer began to grow, his work started to gain significant attention. Following the success of Plain Tales From the Hills, he published several more works, including Wee Willie Winkie (1888) and American Notes (1891), which chronicled his early experiences in America. By 1892, he had also released the poetry collection Barrack-Room Ballads, further cementing his place as a prominent literary figure.

A significant turning point in Kipling’s life came with his friendship with American writer Wolcott Balestier, which introduced him to Balestier’s family—most notably his sister, Carrie. Though their relationship seemed platonic, Kipling received an urgent message from Carrie while visiting India in 1891, informing him of Wolcott’s sudden death from typhoid fever. Kipling quickly returned to England, and within days, he and Carrie were married, with the ceremony attended by renowned American author Henry James.

Fame and ‘The Jungle Book’

Following their wedding, the Kiplings embarked on a honeymoon that took them through Canada and Japan. However, during their time in Japan, Kipling received news that the bank where he held his savings had collapsed, leaving the couple financially strained. They decided to settle in Brattleboro, Vermont, where Carrie’s family lived. The couple purchased land and built a home they named “Naulahka.”

Life in Vermont suited Kipling, both personally and professionally. It was during this time that the couple welcomed their first two daughters, Josephine in 1893 and Elsie in 1896. Kipling’s writing flourished, and he produced some of his most celebrated works, including The Jungle Book (1894) and The Second Jungle Book (1895). Kipling’s love for children was evident in his writing, which captivated young readers worldwide.

However, the peaceful life in Vermont was disrupted when a major falling out occurred between Kipling and his brother-in-law, Beatty Balestier. Their public quarrel attracted significant media attention, much to Kipling’s dismay. The strain of the controversy led the Kiplings to leave America in 1896, returning to England.

Family Tragedy

In 1899, the Kipling family made a trip to New York to visit Carrie’s mother. Unfortunately, both Kipling and his eldest daughter, Josephine, contracted pneumonia during the harsh winter crossing. Although Kipling eventually recovered, Josephine tragically passed away. Kipling was devastated, and the loss left a lasting emotional scar. He would never return to America.

Life in England

In 1902, the Kiplings bought an estate in Sussex, England, called Bateman’s. The 17th-century house offered the family privacy and a sanctuary from public life. Kipling found solace there and resumed his writing, producing notable works such as Kim (1901) and Just So Stories (1902), the latter written in memory of Josephine.

While Kipling found a degree of contentment at Bateman’s, his personal life remained marked by sorrow. The Kiplings’ son, John, whom Kipling had encouraged to join the military, went missing in action during World War I. Despite Kipling’s efforts to locate his son, John’s body was never found, compounding Kipling’s grief over the loss of another child.

Final Years and Death

Kipling continued to write for the remainder of his life, though the light-hearted children’s stories that once brought him so much joy faded from his repertoire. His later years were marred by health problems, and he eventually succumbed to a painful ulcer on January 18, 1936. Kipling’s ashes were interred in Westminster Abbey’s Poets’ Corner, beside literary giants like Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy.

Legacy and Adaptations

Kipling’s legacy endured beyond his lifetime, most notably through Disney’s 1967 animated adaptation of The Jungle Book. The film became a beloved classic, and in 2016, a live-action version, directed by Jon Favreau, introduced Kipling’s stories to a new generation, featuring the voice talents of Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson, and Ben Kingsley.

Despite controversies surrounding his views on imperialism, Kipling remains a celebrated figure in literature, with his works continuing to enchant readers and viewers alike.