Richard Jefferies
Richard Jefferies: A Life of Nature and Observance
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Richard Grafton Jefferies was a British author and naturalist who is commonly known for his insightful writings on the natural world.
Birth and Death Dates
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Jefferies was born on June 6, 1848, in Culmstock, Devon, England. He passed away on August 14, 1887, at the age of 39, due to complications from tuberculosis.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Jefferies was a British author and naturalist who wrote extensively about his experiences with nature. His works often reflected his deep connection to the land and its creatures.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in rural England, Jefferies developed a profound appreciation for the natural world from an early age. He spent much of his childhood exploring the countryside, observing wildlife, and learning about the local flora and fauna. This early exposure had a lasting impact on his life's work and worldview.
Jefferies' family struggled financially during his youth, which led him to pursue education through self-study and apprenticeships. He eventually became an apprentice printer, but his passion for writing and nature soon took precedence over his career in printing.
Major Accomplishments
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Jefferies' contributions to literature and naturalism are multifaceted:
Authorship: Jefferies penned numerous articles, essays, and books on various subjects related to nature and society. His works often explored the interconnectedness of human life and the environment.
Advocate for Conservation: Through his writings, Jefferies drew attention to pressing environmental issues, such as deforestation, pollution, and habitat destruction. He encouraged readers to adopt sustainable practices and respect the natural world.
Groundbreaking Naturalist: Jefferies' descriptions of nature were characterized by their vividness and accuracy, offering a unique perspective on the natural world.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Jefferies' notable works include:
_The Story of My Heart_ (1883): A memoir that explores his experiences with tuberculosis and the lessons he learned from nature during his illness.
_Hodge and His Masters_ (1880): An exploration of rural life, highlighting the relationships between humans and their environment.Impact and Legacy
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Jefferies' influence on literature and conservation is still felt today:
Influence on Environmentalism: Jefferies' work laid groundwork for later environmental movements. He emphasized the importance of preserving natural habitats and encouraged readers to adopt eco-friendly practices.
Advancements in Naturalism: His detailed descriptions of nature helped shape the genre of naturalist literature, inspiring subsequent authors to explore the human relationship with the environment.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Jefferies is widely quoted for his:
Insightful Observations: His writing often captured the essence of the natural world, offering readers a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between humans and nature.
* Timeless Relevance: Jefferies' work continues to resonate with contemporary audiences due to its emphasis on sustainability, conservation, and the importance of respecting the environment.
In conclusion, Richard Jefferies was a remarkable author who left an indelible mark on literature and naturalism. His legacy serves as a testament to his enduring impact on the world we inhabit today.
Quotes by Richard Jefferies
As the wind, wandering over the sea, takes from each wave an invisible portion, and brings to those on shore the ethereal essence of ocean, so the air lingering among the woods and hedges – green waves and billows – became full of fine atoms of summer.
The soul throbs like the sea for a larger life. No thought which I have ever had has satisfied my soul.
Oak follows oak, and elm ranks with elm, however many times reduplicated, their beauty only increases. So, too, the summer days; the sun rises on the same grasses and green hedges, there is the same blue sky, but did we ever have enough of them? No, not in a hundred years!
The exceeding beauty of the earth, in her splendour of life, yields a new thought with every petal. The hours when the mind is absorbed by beauty are the only hours when we really live, so that the longer we can stay among these things so much the more is snatched from inevitable Time.
The exceeding beauty of the earth, in her splendour of life, yields a new thought with every petal. The hours when the mind is absorbed by beauty are the only hours when we really live...
O beautiful human life! Tears come to my eyes as I think of it. So beautiful, so inexpressibly beautiful! The song should never be silent, the dance never still, the laugh should sound like water which runs forever.
I have observed that almost all those whose labour lies in the field, and who go down to their business in the green meadows, admit the animal world to a share in the faculty of reason. It is the cabinet makers who construct a universe of automatons.
I must stay under the old tree in the midst of the long grass, the luxury of the leaves, and the song in the very air. It seems as if I could feel all the glowing life the sunshine gives and the south winds calls into being.
