William Somerset Maugham

William Somerset Maugham was born in Paris in 1874. He lost both his parents in childhood and was placed under the guardianship of his uncle. Maugham initially studied medicine and obtained a medical degree, but after the success of his first novel, Liza of Lambeth, he abandoned medicine and devoted himself full-time to writing. His experience working in a hospital and witnessing human suffering had a profound impact on his realistic, illusion-free view of humanity and society.

Maugham published his semi-autobiographical and enduring work, Of Human Bondage, in 1915, which is recognized as one of the masterpieces of British literature. Among his other prominent works are the novels The Moon and Sixpence (inspired by the life of Paul Gauguin) and The Razor's Edge. He was also a highly successful playwright, and his short stories have been admired for their precise structure, skillful plotting, and deep insight into human behavior.

Maugham's view of life and humanity was imbued with a gentle pessimism, skepticism, and yet, compassion and tolerance. By criticizing social hypocrisies and analyzing the hidden motives of individuals, he presented a tangible and stark portrait of human morality and destiny. Throughout his prolific life, Maugham traveled extensively to the Far East and various parts of the world, and he eventually died in Nice, France, in 1965.