Today is the 209th birthday of one of my favorite authors, Anthony Trollope. Yes, on April 24, 1815, Trollope was born in London. A contemporary of Charles Dickens, he would never match Dickens' fame, but Trollope was a respected and popular author in his own right. What's more amazing, he was a prolific writer while continually holding down a day job with the Royal Mail. In fact, Anthony Trollope was responsible for the design of the familiar English pillar box postal collection container. But mainly, he is known for his multitude of novels that examine class struggle, politics, and labor conditions of the Victorian age. Among his many novels, my favorite is Doctor Thorne, which encompasses all these familiar themes, overlaid by warnings against the excesses of alcoholism. During a 2019 trip to London, I visited Trollope's grave in Kensal Green Cemetary, and there gave him my thanks for the many hours of enjoyment I've derived from his work. Happy Birthday, Anthony!
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