G. K. Chesterton

Biography

(1874-1936)

Gilbert Keith Chesterton began his studies in illustration at the Slade School of art and in literature at University College, both in London. However, he eventually gave up on both degrees. In 1896 he began working for two publishing houses in London and started freelancing as an art critic. He also illustrated for his friend and fellow writer, Hilaire Belloc. Chesterton was married in 1901, and in 1902 he landed a column in The Daily News. Three years later, in 1905, he started a column in The Illustrated London News that he continued writing for three decades. Chesterton was remarkably prolific, writing thousands of essays, hundreds of short stories and poems, and scores of books. The surprising, clever, and light-hearted nature of his writing often seemed at odds with his staunch catholic faith, earning him the nickname, the "prince of paradox."

(Compiled by Joey Franklin)

See also

Essays by G. K. Chesterton

On lying in bed

If there is one thing worse that the modern weakening of major morals, it is the modern strengthening of minor morals.

A piece of chalk

Chastity does not mean abstention from sexual wrong; it means something flaming, like Joan of Arc.

On running after one’s hat

An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.
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