William Somerset Maugham Facts for Kids

William Somerset Maugham

William Somerset Maugham (born January 25, 1874 – died December 16, 1965) was a very famous English writer. He wrote many popular novels, short stories, and plays. He was born in Paris, France, at the British Embassy. In the 1930s, he was one of the highest-paid authors in the world.

Maugham first studied to become a doctor at St. Thomas's Hospital in London. However, he soon decided that writing was his true calling. He then became a full-time writer. He wrote many well-known books. Some of his most famous works include Liza of Lambeth (1897), The Moon and Sixpence (1919), and The Razor's Edge (1944).

Maugham passed away on December 16, 1965, in Nice, France. He was 91 years old when he died from pneumonia.

Early Life and Education
Becoming a Writer
Famous Works
- Novels
- Short Stories and Plays
Travels and Later Life
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Early Life and Education

William Somerset Maugham had a unique start to life. He was born in Paris, France, where his father worked for the British Embassy. This meant he was born on British land, even though he was in France. He was the youngest of six sons.

Sadly, Maugham lost both his parents when he was very young. His mother died when he was eight, and his father died two years later. After this, he was sent to live with his uncle in England. His uncle was a vicar, which is a type of priest.

Maugham went to King's School in Canterbury, England. He then studied at Heidelberg University in Germany. Later, he went to medical school in London. He trained to be a doctor at St. Thomas's Hospital. This experience gave him many ideas for his future stories.

Becoming a Writer

Even while studying medicine, Maugham was writing. His first novel, Liza of Lambeth, was published in 1897. It was about the tough lives of poor people in London. This book was a success and helped him decide to become a full-time writer.

Maugham wrote many different types of stories. He wrote plays that were very popular in London theaters. He also wrote many novels and short stories. His writing style was clear and easy to understand. He often wrote about people's lives and their struggles.

Famous Works

Maugham wrote over 20 novels and many collections of short stories. He also wrote more than 30 plays.

Novels

One of his most famous novels is Of Human Bondage, published in 1915. It is a long story that follows the life of a young man named Philip Carey. The book shares many details from Maugham's own life. It talks about growing up and finding your way in the world.

Another popular novel is The Moon and Sixpence (1919). This book is about an English businessman who leaves his family to become an artist. It was inspired by the life of a real painter. The Razor's Edge (1944) is another well-known novel. It tells the story of a young American man searching for meaning in life after World War I.

Short Stories and Plays

Maugham was also a master of short stories. He wrote hundreds of them, often set in exotic places he visited. His short stories are known for their clever plots and surprising endings.

His plays were very successful on stage. They were often comedies that made people laugh. He was one of the most successful playwrights in London during his time.

Travels and Later Life

Maugham loved to travel. He visited many countries around the world, including places in Asia and the Pacific. His travels gave him lots of ideas for his stories. He often wrote about people from different cultures.

He lived for a long time and continued to write throughout his life. He spent many of his later years living in a beautiful villa in the south of France. William Somerset Maugham is remembered as one of the most important English writers of the 20th century.