Lewis Carroll, or Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, had a major impact on literature. He centered his work around children’s fiction, alongside being a mathematician, logician, photographer, and lecturer. Though Carroll’s mathematical accomplishments are noteworthy, his poetry and prose transcend the conventions of his time and live on to this day. His most famous works, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, are celebrated for their whimsical yet profound nature.
Lewis Carroll’s poetry and overall writing style were marked by a blend of nonsensical charm and sharp wit, with a penchant for wordplay and riddles that entranced readers. His works often challenged the rigid Victorian societal norms, presenting a world where logic was turned on its head, and imagination reigned supreme. His works have even been described as being in the genre of ‘literary nonsense.’
Despite his fame, Carroll remained a deeply private individual. He never married and led an often solitary existence, punctuated by his interactions with his child friends, for whom he crafted his stories. His works are a testament to the power of imagination and the timeless appeal of childhood wonder. Even after more than a century after his death, on January 14, 1898, he remains an iconic figure.
Early Life
Lewis Carroll, born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson on January 27, 1832, in Daresbury, Cheshire, England, was the eldest boy in a family of 11 children. From a young age, Carroll showed a flair for mathematics and writing, inventing games and penning stories and poems for his siblings.
He attended Richmond Grammar, now Richmond School, and later Rugby School, where he struggled with rigid discipline. Carroll went on to study at Christ Church, Oxford, where he excelled in mathematics, earning a studentship, or scholarship. As a senior student, he got his Bachelor of Arts degree in December of 1854.
Tragically, only after a few days of attending Christ Church, Carroll was made aware that his mother had died only two days after arriving at the university. It was said to have been caused by a stroke or meningitis.
Dodgson was ordained a deacon in the Church of England on December 22, 1861. Despite this, he would not go on to become a priest as he felt that it did not fit with the lifestyle that he wanted.
Literary Career
Carroll is best known for his works of literary nonsense, particularly Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, which came out in 1865, with its sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, debuting in 1871. These were inspired by Alice Liddell, the daughter of the Dean of Christ Church, whom Carroll befriended.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland began as a story told to Alice and her sisters during a rowing trip. Encouraged by friends, Carroll eventually wrote it down and sought publication. The novel’s combination of whimsical characters, clever wordplay, and unique logic made it an instant success.
Carroll’s writing style was filled with wit, parody, and intellectual playfulness, attracting both children and adults. In addition to the Alice books, he published poems, such as ‘The Hunting of the Snark‘ in 1876, and mathematical works under his real name.
Like his works, elements of his life were unconventional and full of creativity. This divergent approach was shown in his use of the ‘rectory umbrella.’ He was rumored to carry his rectory umbrella around when walking alone for inspiration.
Struggles and Later Life
Throughout his life, Carroll suffered from health problems, including a stammer that affected him in his social life but disappeared when he performed or spoke to children. He was also deaf in one ear after a fever when he was a child, along with bouts of whooping cough and lung issues throughout his life. A highly private man, Carroll’s relationships and personal beliefs have been the subject of much speculation and study.
Carroll’s mathematical work continued alongside his literary achievements, and he was a respected figure within academia. Though he never married, his friendships with children, especially young girls, such as the Liddell children, were a notable aspect of his life.
In his later years, he wrote less but remained active in the fields of mathematics and logic. His innovative ideas continue to be studied in mathematical circles.
Death
Lewis Carroll died on January 14, 1898, of pneumonia following influenza in Guildford, Surrey, just outside of London. He was 65 years old. Carroll’s death marked the end of an era, but his works have continued to be celebrated. In fact, by the time of his death, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was considered to be the most popular children’s book to grace English literature. His contributions to literature, mathematics, and even early photography have left a lasting legacy. The fantastical worlds, quirky characters, and clever riddles are still admired to this day.
Famous Poems
Lewis Carroll was responsible for an array of iconic works. Here are some of his most famous poems:
- ‘Jabberwocky‘
- ‘The Walrus and the Carpenter‘
- ‘The Hunting of the Snark‘
- ‘A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky‘
- ‘The Mad Gardener’s Song‘
- The Crocodile
- ‘You Are Old, Father William‘
- ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat‘
- ‘The Mouse’s Tale‘
Influences
Lewis Carroll’s poetry was heavily inspired by many of the great poets and literary figures, such as Edward Lear, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Christina Rossetti, and George MacDonald.
His work would also go on to inspire new generations of poets and literary figures. The likes of James Joyce, Spike Milligan, Edward Gorey, Terry Gilliam, and Neil Gaiman all found value in Carroll’s words.
FAQs
Carroll stuttered throughout his life, and it was often severe. He found that he could speak more easily to children, and this may have inspired the child-like characters in his stories.
“Curiouser and curiouser!” – This is a line spoken by Alice in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland when she begins to experience the strange and illogical world of Wonderland.
Lewis Carroll died on January 14, 1898, at the age of 66. He died of pneumonia following a stroke.
Carroll was inspired by many things, including his own childhood, his love of mathematics, and his interest in photography. He was also inspired by the children he knew, particularly the Liddell sisters, who inspired the characters of Alice and her sisters in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Lewis Carroll’s real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. He adopted the pen name ‘Lewis Carroll’ when he began writing children’s stories.
