D.H. Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence Biography

David Herbert Lawrence (11 September 1885 – 2 March 1930) was an English novelist, poet, playwright, critic, essayist, travel writer, and painter whose modernist works explored social alienation, industrialisation, vitality, and sexuality.

Born into a mining family in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, he attended Nottingham High School and worked briefly as a clerk and teacher before turning to writing. His early fiction was autobiographically infused, notably in Sons and Lovers (1913), which garnered critical acclaim.

Lawrence lived widely: in Cornwall, Germany, Italy, Australia, Mexico, and the U.S., often accompanied by his wife Frieda. His major novels The Rainbow (1915), Women in Love (1920), and the controversial Lady Chatterley’s Lover (1928) faced censorship for their explicit treatment of intimacy.

He spent final years in France amid declining health and died of tuberculosis in Vence in 1930. Awarded posthumous acclaim, he is remembered as a fierce and visionary voice in modern literature.

Trivia About D. H. Lawrence

• He was the fourth child of a Nottinghamshire coal miner and a schoolteacher mother.
• Suffered lifelong health issues, including severe pneumonia and later tuberculosis.
• Owned a ranch near Taos, New Mexico, now a historic site.
• His works sparked major obscenity trials, especially Lady Chatterley’s Lover in 1960.

Famous Quotes by D. H. Lawrence

• "The essential point is that evil exists, or at least pain exists. If it did not, I could not believe in the reality of life."
• "Love is a great beautifier."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was D. H. Lawrence?

An influential modernist writer whose bold exploration of human relationships and instinct challenged social norms.

What made his work controversial?

His candid depictions of sexuality and criticism of industrial society led to censorship and obscenity trials.

Critical Reception & Influence

Initially maligned as obscene or pornographic, critics like E. M. Forster later championed him as “the greatest imaginative novelist of our generation.” His work deeply influenced modernist literature and sexual discourse.

Why This Author Still Matters

Lawrence’s fearless exploration of sensuality, psychological depth, and critique of modern life resonates in contemporary dialogues on freedom, intimacy, and human nature.

Related Literary Movements

He is central to literary modernism, reflecting on industrial alienation, primal psychology, and the tensions between nature and civilisation.

Explore more about D. H. Lawrence on eBookTakeAway