William Makepeace Thackeray

William Makepeace Thackeray was born on July 18, 1811, in Calcutta, India, to Richmond Thackeray and Anne Becher. His father was a secretary to the Board of Revenue in the East India Company, and his mother was the second daughter of Harriet and John Harman Becher, who also held a secretarial position in the same company. Thackeray was an only child and was sent to England at the age of five, after a brief stopover at St. Helena where he was shown Napoleon, who was being held prisoner there.

Thackeray's education began in Southampton and Chiswick, and he later attended Charterhouse School. His upbringing and education formed the basis of his writing, and he would later draw from his experiences to create some of his most memorable characters and stories. Thackeray's career as a writer began as an illustrator, and he later became a renowned novelist and author. His works, including "Vanity Fair," are still widely read and studied today, and he is considered one of the great writers of the Victorian era.

In conclusion, William Makepeace Thackeray was a prominent British writer, born in India to a family of high-ranking officials in the East India Company. He was sent to England at a young age, where he received an education that would later influence his writing. Thackeray began his career as an illustrator and went on to become a celebrated novelist and author, known for his vivid characters and satirical wit. His works remain popular and are still widely read and studied today.