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G.K. Chesteron is one of the most prolific authors of the 20th century. He was born in Campden Hill, Kensington in London during 1874. Until he begab school he had rather an unconventional Victorian upbringing. He was educated at home and in a preparatory school before attending St Paul's School in London. He also attended the Slade School of Art, intending to become an illustrator. He converted to Catholcism in his 20s and dabled in theology. It was not until 1900 that his formidable literary career. A publisher asked him to write articles on art criticism. He found writing stimulating and that soon became his chosen vocation. Not only is Chesteron the author of an emense body of work, but those works span subjects perhaps more varied than any other 20th century author. He wrote both serious and popular articles, but his engaging wit ahd humor permeate much of his work. He wrote about world affairs, government, political life, economics, philosophy, theology and many other topics including a well garded serious of nystery novels (Father Brown).

Family

The Chesteron's were a prosperous London family. They had lived there for four generations. The family made a modest fortune in real estate. Edward Chesteron or Mr. Ed as he was called was a mild mannered man interested in social reform. His wife Mary Louise was more acerbic and very bright. Both were equally loving toward their children.

Siblings

Gilbert grew up with his younger brother Cecil with who he was very protective. He was very close to his older sister Beatrice who were nick-named Birdie and Diddie. They enjoyed a white hobby horse and walks together with the nurse. She was the center of their mother's world. Beatrice died at only 8 years old when Gilbert was 3 yeras old. Gilbert was also sick with grief. His father refused to allow Gilbert and his mother to mention her. Cecil arrived in 1879.

Childhood

He was born in Campden Hill, Kensington in London during 1874. Until he began school he had rather an unconventional Victorian upbringing. The family had a proper, uniformed and well starched English nanny for the children. The boys had a nursery, but unlike many Victorain children at the time, they were not confined to it and brought out for brief visits with their parents. The nursery was rather used for rainy day play. A favorite game was cowboys and Indians. But they also fought with swords and bucklers--I not sure if this was pirate or Civil War games. They also had dens for messy activities like painting. Gilbert soon filled a book shelf with his books and note books thatvhe was forever writing. The boys were the most important ything in their parents lives and not a troublesome inconvenience which was the attitude of many Victorian parents. Gilbert's best friend Edmund Bentley noted the difference and as an adult commented on it, explaining how he "had never met with parental devotion or conjugal sympathy more strong than they were in the exceptional woman who was his mother [or] his father...." The boys were rarely punished. Both parents were interested in their sons' opinions and encouraged them to discuss subjects of interest. Their father retired early because of ill health and as aresulr spent a great deal of time with the boys. His father built a toy theater and the boys, especially Gilbert, loved tom play with it. As an adult, G.K even built one to entertain guests. Their mother did not allow the boys to handle money, theorizing they would become less wordly. The primary result, however, was that both became irresoinsible about financial matters. Their father loved to read to the boys, but in a way that the boys did not learn to read themselves as early as one might expect. Gilbert was much more interested in drawing. [Dale, 10-17.]

Clothing

As a little boy he wore long dresses and ringlet curls. An itenerant Italian painter insisted on doing a portrait of such a beautiful little boy (1879). Gilbert was dressed in a sailor suit, so he must have been breeched by that time, but he had long wavy hair.

Education

He was educated at home and in a day school school before attending St Paul's School in London. He began school at age 6 at a place called Colet Court. He claims that he was sent to school when he began drawing on the walls and other available surfaces. School was, however, a problem for Gilbert. He came from a wonderful home full of books and ideas and found the work at school dull and unispiring. This was complicated by the fact that he did not begin to read very well until he was 9 years old. His teachers concluded that he was ann idiot. His parents did not understand wht their clearly bright little boy did not do well at school. They took him to a brain specialist who told them that he had a large sensitive brain and that he would turn out to be either a genius or an imbicile. Gilbet entered St. Pauls at age 8 1/2, still behind the other boys. It was there he met his best friend Edmund Bentley and later Lucian Oldershaw. He also attended the Slade School of Art, intending to become an illustrator. Gilbert did not do well at St. Paul's either. [Dale, p. 18,24.]

Religion

G.K. was baptized in the Church of Engkand. He converted to Catholcism in his 20s and dabeled in theology.

Body of Work

G.K. Chesteron is one of the most prolific authors of the 20th century. It was not until 1900 that his formidable literary career. A publisher asked him to write articles on art criticism. He found writing stimulating and that soon became his chosen vocation. Not only is Chesteron the author of an emense body of work, but those works span subjects perhaps more varied than any other 20th century author. He wrote both serious and popular articles, but his engaging wit ahd humor permeate much of his work. He wrote about world affairs, government, political life, economics, philosophy, theology and many other topics including a well garded serious of nystery novels (Father Brown).

Sources

Dale, Alzina Stone. The Outline of Sanity (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company: Grand Rapids, 1982), 354p.

Created: 7:13 AM 9/26/2005
Last updated: 7:13 AM 9/26/2005