George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair on June 25, 1903, in Motihari, Bengal, India, was a
prominent English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. He is celebrated for his lucid prose,
sharp social criticism, and outspoken opposition to totalitarianism in all its forms, as well as his
advocacy for democratic socialism125.
Early Life and Education
Orwell spent his early childhood in India, where his father worked as a British colonial civil
servant. Shortly after his birth, his mother moved him and his older sister to England, where he
was raised and educated. He attended Eton College on scholarship but did not attend
university456.
Career and Major Works
After Eton, Orwell joined the Indian Imperial Police in Burma in 1922, an experience that deeply
influenced his views on imperialism and injustice. Disillusioned, he resigned after five years and
returned to England to pursue writing. He adopted the pen name "George Orwell" before
publishing his first major work, Down and Out in Paris and London (1933), a memoir of poverty
and social observation47.
Orwell’s literary output spans novels, essays, criticism, and journalism. He is best known for two
iconic works:
Animal Farm (1945): An allegorical novella satirizing the Russian Revolution and the
rise of Stalinism1234.
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949): A dystopian novel exploring the dangers of totalitarianism,
surveillance, and the manipulation of truth1234.
Other significant works include Burmese Days (1934), The Road to Wigan Pier (1937), which
documents working-class life in northern England, and Homage to Catalonia (1938), a personal
account of his experiences fighting for the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War257.
Political Views and Influence
Orwell’s experiences in Burma, among the poor in England, and on the front lines in Spain
shaped his fierce opposition to oppression and authoritarianism—whether from the right or the
left. He was a committed democratic socialist but was equally critical of Soviet communism and
Western capitalism16. His writing introduced terms such as "Orwellian," "Big Brother,"
"Thought Police," "Newspeak," and "doublethink" into the English language, symbolizing the
perils of unchecked power and propaganda1.
Legacy
Orwell’s influence endures in literature, politics, and culture. His works remain widely read and
studied, and his warnings about totalitarianism and the abuse of language are considered ever-
relevant. In 2008, The Times ranked him as the second-greatest British writer since 194515.
Key Facts Table
Aspect Details
Real Name Eric Arthur Blair
Pen Name George Orwell
Aspect Details
Born June 25, 1903, Motihari, Bengal, India
Died January 21, 1950, London, England
Occupation Novelist, essayist, journalist, critic
Notable Animal Farm, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Down and Out in Paris and London,
Works Burmese Days, The Road to Wigan Pier, Homage to Catalonia
Major
Totalitarianism, social justice, democratic socialism, language and truth
Themes
Legacy Influential critic of authoritarianism; "Orwellian" entered common usage
Orwell’s commitment to truth, justice, and the defense of individual freedom continues to shape
debates on politics, language, and ethics worldwide126.
Citations:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Orwell
2. https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Orwell
3. https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/george-orwell
4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/orwell_george.shtml
5. https://www.vedantu.com/biography/george-orwell
6. https://www.sparknotes.com/author/george-orwell/
7. https://literarydevices.net/george-orwell/
8. https://iep.utm.edu/george-orwell/
9. https://nosweatshakespeare.com/literature/best-english-authors/george-orwell-biography/
10. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3706.George_Orwell
11. https://www.neh.gov/article/george-orwell-outdoorsman
12. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/george-orwell/
13. https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/about/about-george-orwell/
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