William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–1863)
Author of Vanity Fair
About the Author
William Makepeace Thackeray was born in Calcutta, India, where his father was in service to the East India Company. After the death of his father in 1816, he was sent to England to attend school. Upon reaching college age, Thackeray attended Trinity College, Cambridge, but he left before completing show more his degree. Instead, he devoted his time to traveling and journalism. Generally considered the most effective satirist and humorist of the mid-nineteenth century, Thackeray moved from humorous journalism to successful fiction with a facility that was partially the result of a genial fictional persona and a graceful, relaxed style. At his best, he held up a mirror to Victorian manners and morals, gently satirizing, with a tone of sophisticated acceptance, the inevitable failure of the individual and of society. He took up the popular fictional situation of the young person of talent who must make his way in the world and dramatized it with satiric directness in The Luck of Barry Lyndon (1844), with the highest fictional skill and appreciation of complexities inherent within the satiric vision in his masterpiece, Vanity Fair (1847), and with a great subtlety of point of view and background in his one historical novel, Henry Esmond (1852). Vanity Fair, a complex interweaving in a vast historical panorama of a large number of characters, derives its title from John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and attempts to invert for satirical purposes, the traditional Christian image of the City of God. Vanity Fair, the corrupt City of Man, remains Thackeray's most appreciated and widely read novel. It contrasts the lives of two boarding-school friends, Becky Sharp and Amelia Smedley. Constantly attuned to the demands of incidental journalism and his sense of professionalism in his relationship with his public, Thackeray wrote entertaining sketches and children's stories and published his humorous lectures on eighteenth-century life and literature. His own fiction shows the influence of his dedication to such eighteenth-century models as Henry Fielding, particularly in his satire, which accepts human nature rather than condemns it and takes quite seriously the applicability of the true English gentleman as a model for moral behavior. Thackeray requested that no authorized biography of him should ever be written, but members of his family did write about him, and these accounts were subsequently published. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Disambiguation Notice:
W. M. Thackeray also wrote as Charles James Yellowplush, Michael Angelo Titmarsh, George Savage Fitz-Boodle, The Fat Contributor, and Ikey Solomons.
Image credit: Frontispiece to Works of Wiliam Makepiece Thackeray Vol. 6 (1898) "From a Drawing by Samuel Lawrence"
Series
Works by William Makepeace Thackeray
The Adventures of Philip On His Way Through the World Shewing Who Robbed Him, Who Helped Him, and Who Passed Him By, to… (1862) 32 copies
Roundabout Papers (from the Cornhill Magazine); to Which is Added The Second Funeral of Napoleon; The Four Georges; The… (1882) 18 copies
Ballads, and The rose and the ring 14 copies
Reading & Training : William Makepeace Thackeray : Vanity Fair [book + sound recording] (1992) — Writer — 11 copies
Fåfängans marknad. D. 3 11 copies
The Cornhill magazine 10 copies
Barry Lyndon / Great Hoggarty Diamond / Travels and Sketches in London / Character Sketches / Men's Wives (1884) — Author — 9 copies
The Adventures of Philip (1/2) — Author — 9 copies
Roundabout Papers / Second Funeral of Napoleon / Critical Reviews / The Four Georges / The English Humorists of the… (1887) — Author — 9 copies
Denis Duval / The Wolves and the Lamb / Lovel the Widower / Roundabout Papers (1899) — Author — 9 copies
The Adventures of Philip (2/2) — Author — 8 copies
Paris Sketchbook of Mr. M. A. Titmarsh / Eastern Sketches: A Journey From Cornhill To Cairo (1889) — Author — 8 copies
The History of Henry Esmond (1/2) 7 copies
Ballads and tales 6 copies
The history of Henry Esmond, esq., written by himself; The English humourists of the eighteenth century; The four… (1899) 6 copies, 1 review
Paris sketch-book of Mr. M.A. Titmarsh, and The memoirs of Mr. Charles J. Yellowplush, The Irish sketch-book, and Notes… (1877) 6 copies
A collection of letters of W.M. Thackeray, 1847-1855 : with portraits and reproductions of letters and drawings (1970) 6 copies
The memoirs of Mr. Charles J. Yellowplush;: The history of Samuel Titmarsh and the great Hoggarty diamond; Cox's di (1899) 5 copies
The Paris Sketch Book / Eastern Sketches / The Irish Sketch Book / Character Sketches (1884) — Author — 5 copies
History of Samuel Titmarsh; A little dinner at Timmins's; Notes of a journey from Cornhill to Grand Cairo (2015) 5 copies
Vanity Fair (2/3) 4 copies
The Newcomes (1/3) — Author — 4 copies
Denis Duval / Lovel the Widower / The Wolves and the Lamb / The Second Funeral of Napoleon (2012) — Author — 4 copies
The Comic almanack : an ephemeris in jest and earnest, containing merry tales, humorous poetry, quips, and oddities (2016) 4 copies
Vanity Fair (1/3) 4 copies
The History of Pendennis (3/3) 4 copies
The memoirs of Mr. C. J. Yellowplush : The Fitzboodle papers: The wolves and the lamb: Stories and sketches (1889) 4 copies
Our Street 4 copies
The History of Henry Esmond (2/2) 4 copies
Christmas Books - Works Of William Makepeace Thackeray (Works of William Makepeace Thackery) (2008) 3 copies
Catherine and Men's Wives 3 copies
The English Humourists of the Eighteenth Century and Charity and Humour (The Thackeray Edition) (2008) 3 copies
Thackeray's Work's XIX: Roundabout Papers the Second Funeral of Napoleon Critical Reviews (1889) 3 copies
The Irish sketch book of 1842 ;: And Character sketches (The complete works of William Makepeace Thackeray, v. XII) (1889) 3 copies
The History of Pendennis (2/3) 3 copies
The Oxford Thackeray, volune VI: The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon, Esq. and the Miscellaneous Papers Written Between 1843… (1930) 3 copies
The History of Pendennis (1/3) — Author — 3 copies
Roundabout Papers, Etc. 3 copies
The Newcomes (2/3) 3 copies
The history of Samuel Titmarsh and the great Hoggarty diamond;: Men's wives; The book of Snobs; (Thackeray's… (1889) 3 copies
Great Lives by Great Writers 3 copies
Poems and Ballads 3 copies
The Yellowplush Papers, Major Gahagan, Stubb's Calendar, the Bedford Row Conspiracy, Flore Et Zepyr & Other Early… (1999) 3 copies
The Complete Works of William Makepeace Thackeray: Vol. XXV & XXVI - Literary Essays ~ Essays on Art 3 copies
The Oxford Thackeray, volume X: Christmas Books + Rebecca and Rowena + Later Minor Papers, 1849 - 1861 (1930) 3 copies
Letters to a young man about town 2 copies
ENGLISH HUMOURISTS 2 copies
Literary Essays 2 copies
The four Georges;: The English humorists of the eighteenth century; Sketches and travels in London, (Thackeray's… (1889) 2 copies
Irish Sketch-book illustrated 2 copies
Yellow Plush Papers and Fitznoodle 2 copies
Thackeray's Works: Roundabout Papers. To Which is Added The Second Funeral of Napoleon. The Four Georges. The English… (1867) — Author — 2 copies
The Virginians (2/3) 2 copies
Barry Lyndon, Great Hoggarty Diamond 2 copies
Some family letters of W.M. Thackeray : together with recollections by his kinswoman Blanche Warre Cornish (2009) 2 copies
Roundabout Papers and Denis Duval 2 copies
Critical papers in literature 2 copies
Complete Works of William Makepeace Thackeray "English Novelist of Victorian Era"! 45 Complete Works (Vanity Fair,… (2016) 2 copies
The Virginians (1/3) 2 copies
THE COMPLETE NOVELS OF WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY (Special Illustrated Edition) FULL COLOR ILLUSTRATED VERSION: All… (2011) 2 copies
The Works Of Thackeray (10 vol) 2 copies
"A Story" 2 copies
Vanity Fair (abridged) 2 copies
THE BOOK OF SNOBS AND BARRY LYNDON 2 copies
La fira de les vanitats II 2 copies
Balciul desertaciunilor (volumul 2) 2 copies
The history of Henry Esmond, esq.; The lectures (The works of William Makepeace Thackeray, vol 7) 2 copies
Barry Lyndon / Great Hoggarty Diamond / Sketches and Travels in London — Author — 2 copies
The Works of W. M. Thackeray: The History of Samuel Titmarsh and The Great Hoggarty Diamond, and Others 2 copies, 1 review
The Great Hoggarty Diamond / A Legend of the Rhine / A Shabby Genteel Story — Author — 2 copies
Selections from The book of snobs, Roundabout papers, and Ballads (Little masterpieces) (Little masterpieces) (2016) 2 copies
Thackeray Works I 1 copy
Ballads and Miscellanies 1 copy
Thackeray Works V 1 copy
Thackeray Works VI 1 copy
Thackeray Works II 1 copy
The Adventures of Philip on His Way Through the World Shewing Who Robbed Him, Who Helped Him, and Who Passed Him By to… (1905) 1 copy, 1 review
Thackeray Works, VIII 1 copy
Lovel the Widower Etc 1 copy
Yellowplush Papers Etc. 1 copy
Charity and Humour 1 copy
Thackeray Works VII 1 copy
Thackeray Works III 1 copy
Thackeray Works IV 1 copy
Thackery's Novels--A Shabby Genteel Story; The Adventures of Philip on His Way Through the World 1 copy
El gran diamante 1 copy
The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon, Esq. And the Miscellaneous Papers Written Between 1843 and 1847 (Classic Reprint) (2016) 1 copy
Thackeray's Works, Volume 6 1 copy
Dzieje Pendennisa czyli O jego sukcesach, klęskach, przyjaciołach i największym jego wrogu. T. 1 1 copy
The Count of Monte Cristo; The Canterbury Tales(3); Vanity Fair (The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written) (1990) 1 copy
Dzieje Pendennisa czyli O jego sukcesach, klęskach, przyjaciołach i największym jego wrogu. T. 2 1 copy
Die Geschichte von Pendennis sein Glück und sein Unglück, seine Freunde und sein ärgster Feind Bd. 2 1 copy
Die Geschichte von Pendennis sein Glück und sein Unglück, seine Freunde und sein ärgster Feind Bd. 1 1 copy
The Chest of Cigars 1 copy
Miscellanies, Vol. 3: The Book of Snobs, Sketches and Travels in London, Denis Duval, and Other Stories (Classic… (2017) 1 copy
The Four Georges Etc 1 copy
The Complete Works of Wm. M. Thackeray - The Marlborough Edition (vols. IV, VI, XII & XVI) 1 copy, 1 review
MEMORIAS DE ENRIQUE ESMOND 1 copy
Miscellanies Vol III 1 copy
Miscellanies Vol II 1 copy
Miscellanies Volume I 1 copy
The Four Georges 1 copy
Humoristische Novellen 1 copy
Dzieje Pendennisa T.1-2 1 copy
La fiera delle vanità 5 - 7 1 copy
Księga snobów 1 copy
Kenilworth 1 copy
New Century Library - The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray Volume XIII Essays, Reviews etc. etc. 1 copy
Miscellaneous Sketches 1 copy
La fiera delle vanità 1 - 4 1 copy
Vanity Fair/Pendennis 1 copy
Irish Sketchbook Etc 1 copy
Vanity Fair 1 copy
Hennre Esmond 1 copy
Stray moments with Thackeray: his humor, satire, and characters. Being selections from his writings, prefaced with a… (1880) 1 copy
Works of William Makepeace Thackeray 13 Volumes the Virginians Volume 1 & 2 Vanity Fair Volume 1 & 2 Barry Lyndon Etc… (1885) 1 copy
The Jungle 1 copy
Christmas Stories Etc 1 copy
The Kickleburys on the Rhine 1 copy
Juvenilia 1 copy
Short Series Sketches 1 copy
Denis Duval 1 copy
The Christmas Books Of Mr. M.A. Titmarsh, Vol. I & II. , Pocket edition. There are 15 of these book series in my… (2023) 1 copy
Semenj ničevosti 1 copy
La fiera della vanità 1 copy
The Complete Works of William M. Thackeray: Christmas Books, The Memoirs of Mr. C. J. Yellowplush, (The Book of Snobs,… (1900) 1 copy
Works of W. M Thackeray in 5 Volumes PLUS The Life of W. M. Thackeray by Lewis Melville (The London Edition) (1900) 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray: In Twenty-four Volumes. The Virginians. Vol. 8-9 (2018) 1 copy
Miscellanies, Prose and Verse, Vol. 2: Memoirs of Mr. C. J. Yellowplush; Diary of C. Jeames De La Pluche, Esq.;… (2018) 1 copy
Works of William Makepeace Thackeray, The Vol. 23 (Miscellaneous Essays, Sketches & Reviews, Contributions to "Punch" ) (1886) 1 copy
Snobs and other characters from the writings of William Makepeace Thackeray (Seven Seas Books-no.7) (1959) 1 copy
Thackeray: The Major Novels 1 copy
Forfængelighedens marked. En roman uden helt Overs. efter "Vanity Fair" af Gunnar Juel Jørgensen.… 1 copy
Thackeray's Complete Works: Roundabout Papers, Four Georges, Sketches and Travels in London, etc (The… (1883) 1 copy
Philip Burlesque 1 copy
Barry Lyndon Miscellaneous 1 copy
Ala de cuervo novela 1 copy
Henry Esmond (abridged) 1 copy
Thackeray's Complete Works, The University Edition. The Christmas Books. Ballads. Hoggarty Diamond. 1 copy
The Great Hoggarty Diamond; Fitz-Boodle Papers; Men's Wives etc. (The Oxford Thackeray with Illustrations) (1900) 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray Volume III: Pendennis, Roundabout Papers, Lovel the Widower (1897) — Author — 1 copy
The Cane-bottomed Chair 1 copy
Critical papers in art 1 copy
The knights of Borsellen etc 1 copy
Feine Gesellschaft — Author — 1 copy
A Book for Christmas Reading — Author — 1 copy
The English humorists of the Eighteenth century ;: Critical reviews ; The second funeral of Napoleon 1 copy
Sultan Stork 1 copy
Vanity Fair, The Newcomes 1 copy
Vanity Fair Part lll & The History of Henry Esmond Part l — Author — 1 copy
The Devil's Wager 1 copy
Thackeray's Works. The History of Samual Titmarsh and the Great Hoggarty Diamond, Men's Wives, The Book of… (1887) 1 copy
Catherine: A Story. Titmarsh Among Pictures and Books. Fraser Miscellanies. The Christmas Books. Selections From Punch.… (1877) 1 copy
Thackeray's Works, Kensington Limited Edition, Book 3. Vanity Fair, Volume III. Lovel the Widower. 1 copy
Vanity Fair,Vol I & 2 (of 3) 1 copy
A Shabby Genteel Story. The Adventures Of Philip. Ballads. Catherine. Christmas Stories. (Volume II) (1879) 1 copy
Fairy days 1 copy
Rodzina Newcome’ów tom 1 1 copy
Rodzina Newcome’ów tom 2 1 copy
The history of Henry Esmond, esq., written by himself. (By W.M. Thackeray). 1852 [Leather Bound] 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray, Volume V. The Paris sketch book, the Irish sketch book, and Notes of a… (2012) 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. Volume XII: The Virginians : a tale of the last century [Vol.1] (1903) 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. Volume XXX: Miscellaneous essays, sketches and reviews (1903) 1 copy
Works 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. Volume XVII: Paris sketch book of Mr. M.A. Titmarsh 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. Volume XXII: Book of Snobs ; Character sketches ; Stories (1903) 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. Volume XXIV: The Christmas books of Mr. M.A. Titmarsh 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. Volume XXVI: The Four Georges, the English Humourists of the Eighteenth… (1903) 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. Volume XXVII: Roundabout papers ; Little travels and roadside sketches (1903) 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. Volume XXIX: Catherine : a story ; The Fitz-boodle papers ; Tales (1903) 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray. Volume IV: The history of Pendennis : his fortunes and misfortunes, his… (1903) 1 copy
The Ballads and Other Poems 1 copy
Works of Thackeray Edition Deluxe - Christmas Books of Mr. M.A. Titmarsh ( Flore et Zephyr - Mrs. Perkins Hall - Our… (1899) 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray, Vol. 7 of 12: The Paris Sketch Book; The Irish Sketch Book; And Notes of a… (2015) 1 copy
The pocket Thackeray : being favorite passages chosen from the works of William Makepeace Thackeray 1 copy
The Works of William Makepeace Thackeray Biographical Edition SKETCH BOOKS The Paris Sketch Book of Mr. M.A. Titmarsh,… (1898) 1 copy
The Rose and the Ring: Reproduced in facsimile from the Author’s original illustrated manuscript in the Pierpont… (1947) 1 copy
Thackeray's Works, Kensington Limited Edition, Book 30. The Four Georges. Sketches and Travels. 1 copy
Thackeray's Works, Kensington Limited Edition, Book 19. Adventures of Philip, Volume III. Catherine. 1 copy
The Works of W. M. Thackeray Volume XX Catherine :A Story, Men's Wives, The Bedford-Row Conspiracy 1 copy
The Rose and the Ring, etc. 1 copy
Associated Works
Spells of Enchantment: The Wondrous Fairy Tales of Western Culture (1991) — Contributor — 581 copies, 4 reviews
Devils & Demons: A Treasury of Fiendish Tales Old & New (1991) — Contributor — 270 copies, 2 reviews
Delphi Complete Works of Charles Dickens (Illustrated) (2012) — Contributor, some editions — 84 copies
Great British Tales of Terror: Gothic Stories of Horror and Romance 1765-1840 (1972) — Contributor — 83 copies
Doré's London: All 180 Images from the Original London Series with Selected Writings (2008) — Contributor — 60 copies
The world of law; a treasury of great writing about and in the law, short stories, plays, essays, accounts, letters,… (1960) — Contributor — 51 copies
Great Ghost Stories: 34 Classic Tales of the Supernatural (2002) — Contributor — 27 copies, 1 review
Library of the World's Best Mystery and Detective Stories: English, Irish (1907) — Contributor — 10 copies
Oogst der tijden : keur uit de werken van schrijvers en dichters aller volken en eeuwen (1940) — Contributor — 10 copies
World's Greatest Literature Set (World's Greatest Literature, Volumes 1- 20 full set) (1936) — Contributor — 9 copies
Die englische Literatur 08 in Text und Darstellung. 19. Jahrhundert 2 (1982) — Contributor — 4 copies
Loves and Deaths: Novelists' Tales of the Nineteenth Century from Scott to Hardy (1972) — Contributor — 4 copies
Short Stories Retold - Book 1 — Contributor — 1 copy
English short stories of the nineteenth century — Contributor — 1 copy
90 Masterpieces You Must Read (Vol.1): Novels, Poetry, Plays, Short Stories, Essays, Psychology & Philosophy (2020) — Contributor — 1 copy
One hundred best novels condensed: 3 of 4 see note: Adam Bede; Tess of the D'Urbervilles; Don Quixote; East Lynne;… — Contributor — 1 copy
The King's Story Book — Contributor — 1 copy
Short Stories: Old and New — Contributor — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Fitz-Boodle, George Savage (nom de plume)
Titmarsh, Michael Angelo (nom de plume)
Yellowplush, Charles James (nom de plume)
The Fat Contributor
Solomons, Ikey - Birthdate
- 1811-07-18
- Date of death
- 1863-12-24
- Burial location
- Kensal Green Cemetery, London, England, UK
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- UK
- Country (for map)
- England, UK
- Birthplace
- Calcutta, India
- Place of death
- London, England, UK
- Cause of death
- stroke
- Places of residence
- Paris, France
Weimar, Germany - Education
- Charterhouse (Smithfield, London)
University of Cambridge (Trinity College)
Middle Temple, London - Occupations
- novelist
journalist
essayist
travel writer
lecturer - Relationships
- Ritchie, Anne Thackeray (daughter)
Stephen, Leslie (son-in-law) - Short biography
- William Makepeace Thackery was second only to Charles Dickens in stature as an author during the Victorian era. His humorous and satirical writings were much in demand by periodicals, including Punch, and he was a popular lecturer. Today he's best known for his novel Vanity Fair, which is required reading in most college English courses. He experienced tragedy in his personal life due to the long deterioration and mental illness of his wife Isabella.
- Disambiguation notice
- W. M. Thackeray also wrote as Charles James Yellowplush, Michael Angelo Titmarsh, George Savage Fitz-Boodle, The Fat Contributor, and Ikey Solomons.
Members
Discussions
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray – LIMITED EDITIONS CLUB 1931 in George Macy devotees (November 2023)
December: Thackeray : Vanity Fair in Monthly Author Reads (January 2011)
Reviews
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackery
3.75/5 ⭐️s. “All is vanity, nothing is fair.“ After 912 pages and 67 chapters, that pretty much is the main theme. I can see why this is Thackeray's masterpiece as he scathingly criticizes the norms in early 19th-century England between rich vs. poor, women vs. men, religion vs. non-religion ... nobody is immune from his satire. A different type of narrator, too, where you felt like he was addressing you personally for a LONG story. He could have chopped off some chapters, though, and kept to the main plot because it was overwhelmingly verbose at times. Overall, I am glad I read it and immensely enjoyed most of it.… (more)
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Awards
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Statistics
- Works
- 628
- Also by
- 62
- Members
- 22,744
- Popularity
- #930
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 274
- ISBNs
- 1,703
- Languages
- 24
- Favorited
- 62
