H.G. Wells: 10 Things You Didn’t Know

H.G. Wells will be long remembered as the author of such sci-fi horror fantasies, as The Island of Dr Moreau, War of the Worlds and The Invisible Man, Apart from being a talent writer, he was a complicated man with many strings to his bow. Here are 10 facts you may not have know about H.G. Wells…

Some H.G. Wells Facts

1. Herbert George Wells was born into poverty on September 21, 1866, in Bromley, England. His father was a professional cricketer who struggled to make ends meet and Wells was raised in modest circumstances. Despite these challenges, he was an avid reader from a young age and showed a talent for writing. After working as a draper’s apprentice and as a teaching assistant, Wells became a full-time writer.
2. H.G. Wells briefly taught at a school in Wales, where he developed an interest in science and the workings of the world. He also became disillusioned with the strict and rigid education system of the time and began to question the status quo. This experience would later inform his writing, particularly in his science fiction works.
3. Wells wrote extensively across many genres, including science fiction, history, social commentary and politics. He is best known for his science fiction works, such as The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man and The Island of Dr Moreau. Through these works, Wells explored the potential consequences of new technologies and scientific developments, as well as the social and political implications of these advancements.
4. He was a socialist and believed in a society that was based on equality and fairness. He was also a strong supporter of the idea of a world government and was a member of the League of Nations Union. Through his writing, H.G. Wells sought to explore the potential for a better future and to promote his ideas about social and political reform.
5. Wells was a strong advocate of women’s rights and was a member of the Fabian Society, a political organisation that worked for progressive social change. He was particularly interested in women’s suffrage and was an early supporter of the women’s rights movement. In his writing, he often portrayed strong and independent female characters who challenged traditional gender roles.
6. H.G. Wells was married twice, first to his cousin, Isabel Mary Wells, and later to writer and feminist activist Amy Catherine Robbins. Both marriages were marked by infidelity on Wells’ part, as he was known to have had many affairs throughout his life.
7. Despite his marriages, Wells was known to have had many affairs throughout his life, including a relationship with author Rebecca West. This pattern of behaviour reflected Wells’ complex personal life and his tendency to challenge convention and the status quo.
8. Wells wrote thousands of letters throughout his life, many of which have been collected and published in several volumes. These letters provide valuable insights into Wells’ life, his thoughts and beliefs and his relationship with other writers and thinkers of his time.
9. H.G. Wells was a lifelong vegetarian and was an early advocate of the vegetarian movement. He believed that a vegetarian diet was healthier and more ethical and he sought to promote this lifestyle through his writing and speaking.
10. Wells had a stammer, which he struggled with throughout his life. Despite this, he was a confident and effective public speaker and his speeches and debates helped to raise awareness of his ideas and beliefs. Through his writing and speaking, Wells was able to overcome his stammer and become one of the most influential and widely read writers of his time.

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