Lewis Carroll was an English author, poet and mathematician famous for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. He was known for his mastery of wordplay, logic and fantasy.
Lewis Carroll‘s Profile
| Full Name | Charles Lutwidge Dodgson |
|---|---|
| Age | Died at 65 |
| Birthday | January 27, 1832 |
| Death Date | January 14, 1898 |
| Birth Sign | Aquarius |
| Born | England |
| Relationship | Never married |
| Height | 6‘0" (183 cm) |
| Net Worth | N/A |
| Social | Website |
The Origins of Alice‘s Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll first told the story that would become Alice‘s Adventures in Wonderland during a boating trip in 1862 to entertain the three daughters of Henry Liddell, the dean of Christ Church college. One of the listeners was 10-year-old Alice Liddell, who loved the tale so much that she insisted he write it down. Carroll expanded the story into a manuscript titled Alice‘s Adventures Under Ground in 1864, which he printed in a small edition of only 50 copies as a Christmas gift for the Liddell girls.
After being encouraged to publish wider, Carroll reworked the tale into the classic children‘s novel published in 1865 as Alice‘s Adventures in Wonderland. It became an instant success and cemented Carroll‘s status as a legendary storyteller. He published the sequel, Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, in 1871.
Literary Legacy
Carroll pioneered the genre of literary nonsense with his poems Jabberwocky and The Hunting of the Snark. His facility with word play, logic, and fantasy influenced later children‘s authors including A.A. Milne, C.S. Lewis, and J.K. Rowling.
Alice‘s Adventures in Wonderland has been translated into 174 languages and never been out of print since its publication. There have been countless adaptations for film, TV, theater, and other media, including Disney‘s iconic animated movie musical Alice in Wonderland in 1951.
Lasting Pop Culture Influence
Images and characters from Lewis Carroll‘s Alice books have become ingrained in pop culture. The Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts, and Alice herself are immediately recognizable figures. Famous lines like "Curiouser and curiouser", "We‘re all mad here", and "Down the rabbit hole" are often quoted.
Carroll‘s work inspired everything from The Beatles‘ song "I Am the Walrus" to entertainment venues using Wonderland themes. His surreal creations continue to capture the imaginations of each new generation.