3-052-914 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage Images

Thomas Hardy, English writer and poet, c1890. Hardy's (1840-1928) first success came in 1874 with the publication of his novel "Far from the Madding Crowd". His last novel was "Jude the Obscure" (1895), after which he turned mainly to poetry, publishing eight volumes of poems from 1898 to 1928. From "The Cabinet Portrait Gallery" by W&D Downey. (London, 1890-1894). (Colorised black and white print).