Thomas Hardy, poet, novelist and creator of great existentialist heroes and heroines in his novels, was born in Stinsford, Dorchester, on 2 June 1840.

To celebrate the day, included below is a fascinating newspaper article – published in 1894 – that, in the course of an interview  reports his thoughts on the art of writing and other writers.

Also included is an advertisement for one of Thomas Hardy’s novels that appeared in ‘The Graphic’ newspaper in late 1894. Although it’s not referred to by name, we think the novel is ‘Jude the Obscure’ (or as some Victorians called it, ‘Jude the Obscene’).

Newcastle Courant – Saturday 03 March 1894

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000086/18940303/007/0002

The Graphic – Saturday 17 November 1894

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000057/18941117/048/0031