Joseph Conrad

Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) considered himself Polish, although he was a Russian citizen, was granted British nationality, and achieved success as one of the greatest novelists in the English language. His well-known works The Nigger of the “Narcissus,” Heart of Darkness, and Lord Jim were drawn from his years as a captain in the merchant marine. An emotional man, subject to depression, Conrad was keenly conscious of tragedy in the world and in his works. He is quoted as saying, “In everything I have written, there is always one invariable intention, and that is to capture the reader’s attention.”