W. Somerset Maugham

William Somerset Maugham was born in Paris in 1874 and spoke French before he spoke English, which some believe contributed to the purity of his writing style. After his parents passed away early in his life, Maugham had an unhappy childhood, which he later described in his novel "Of Human Bondage." He became a qualified physician, but his true passion was writing. Despite facing financial struggles for ten years before achieving success, Maugham persisted in producing novels and plays.

During the time when experimental modernist literature was gaining popularity, Maugham's plain prose style received criticism for being "a tissue of clichés." However, his ability to assemble so many clichés and his consistent failure to put anything in an individual way was still admired by some. Maugham worked for the British Secret Service during World War I and traveled extensively around the world, including making many visits to America. After World War II, Maugham settled in the south of France and continued to divide his time between England and Nice until his death in 1965.

Throughout his life, Maugham was widely admired as an author in almost every English-speaking country. His novels and short stories gained immense acclaim, making him one of the most admired authors of his time. Despite facing criticism for his writing style, Maugham's works remained popular and well-regarded, earning him a place as one of the most accomplished authors of the 20th century.