One of the best-known British novelists, William Makepeace Thackeray, was born on this day in Calcutta. He is remembered most for Vanity Fair, a sweeping novel that is a savage satire of society, and for Becky Sharp, the adventuress who features in it.

William’s father Richmond Thackeray was an administrator in the British East India Company. After Richmond died in 1815, William was sent back to England, where he attended school, then Cambridge University and finally studied law. He squandered the money he inherited from his father and finally settled down to work as a journalist.

His personal life was marred by tragedy as his wife became insane. They had three daughters.

The serialisation of Vanity Fair brought William renown and prosperity. He also wrote The History of Henry Esmond.

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