P.G. Wodehouse

P.G. Wodehouse Biography

Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (15 October 1881 – 14 February 1975) was an English author and one of the twentieth century’s most gifted comic writers. Born in Guildford, Surrey, he was educated at Dulwich College and began his career as a journalist before turning to full-time writing.

Wodehouse created beloved characters such as Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves, debuting in Extricating Young Gussie (1915) and cementing his reputation with The Inimitable Jeeves (1923). His works include over 90 books, as well as musicals and lyrics for the London stage.

In 1934 he moved to the United States but later returned to England. Despite controversy during WWII over BBC broadcasts from Germany, he was knighted in 1975 for his contributions to literature. He died in Southampton later that year.

Trivia About P. G. Wodehouse

• He wrote over 90 books and 200 short stories.
• His nickname was “Plum.”
• He co-wrote Broadway musicals with Guy Bolton and Jerome Kern.
• In WWII he was briefly interned in German-occupied France and made light-hearted BBC broadcasts, later called controversial.

Famous Quotes by P. G. Wodehouse

• "She looked as if she had been poured into her clothes and had forgotten to say 'when'."
• "It is a good rule in life never to apologise. The right sort of people do not want apologies and the wrong sort take a mean advantage of them."
• "If two things are going to happen, or are likely to happen, let them happen at the same time, so that you can get them over with."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Jeeves & Wooster?

A celebrated comic duo of an amiable but dim aristocrat and his supremely intelligent valet, featured in multiple novels and stories.

What style is Wodehouse known for?

Elegant, witty, and lighthearted prose with intricate comic plotting and endearing characters.

Critical Reception & Influence

Wodehouse was widely praised for his mastery of comic timing and language. Modern critics and authors including Evelyn Waugh and Ian Fleming admired his influence on comic writing.

Why This Author Still Matters

His timeless humour, character dynamics, and inventive prose continue to delight readers and inspire adaptations in TV, film, and theatre.

Related Literary Movements

Wodehouse is a pillar of early 20th-century British comic fiction, known for his contribution to light comedy, social satire, and the comic novel tradition.

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