George Eliot, whose real name was Mary Anne Evans, was a renowned author from the United Kingdom, known for her historical fiction, literature fiction, and classic novels. She was born in 1819 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, and was well-educated for a woman of her time. Her father, who valued her intelligence, ensured that she received a good education. Evans became a religious evangelical as an adolescent, but later abandoned her faith after reading Charles Hennell's "An Inquiry into the Origins of Christianity." This shift in beliefs led to a rift with her father, who sent her to live with her sister until she promised to reconsider her decision.
Despite this challenging period, Evans continued to pursue her intellectual interests. She translated "Das Leben Jesu" anonymously in 1846, and in 1849, she began working for The Westminster Review, where she translated "The Essence of Christianity" under her real name. That same year, she scandalized British society by entering into a free "union" with George Henry Lewes, who was unable to divorce his wife. They lived together for 24 years, during which they faced social ostracism and financial hardship.
To avoid public scrutiny and to ensure that her works were taken seriously, Evans adopted the pen name George Eliot. She believed that using a male pseudonym would help her escape the stereotype of women only writing lighthearted romances. Her novels, which include "Adam Bede," "The Mill on the Floss," "Silas Marner," "Romola," and "Middlemarch," are known for their realism, psychological insight, and strong heroines. Her works have been widely recognized for their literary merit, with "Middlemarch" being described as one of the greatest novels in the English language.
Evans' use of a male pseudonym allowed her to create a separate identity as a writer, distinct from her work as an editor and critic. It also allowed her to explore themes and ideas that might have been considered controversial if written by a woman. Her fiction, which reflects her humanist vision, has had a lasting impact on English literature, and her legacy as a writer continues to be celebrated and studied today.