George Meredith was born in 1828. He was a poet, novelist, and essayist of Victorian England and wrote 15 full-length novels, eight collections of poetry, and numerous minor works. Meredith is best known for powerful imagery, brilliant psychological insights, and carefully chosen diction. His works include "The Ordeal of Richard Feverel," "The Egoist," "The Adventures of Harry Richmond," and "Diana of the Crossways." George Meredith received the Order of Merit in 1905. He died in 1909.