Thomas Hardy was a world renowned author of many poems and novels including Tess of the D´Urbervilles, Far from the Madding Crowd and The Mayor of Casterbridge.
Thomas Hardy had many connections with Dorset and with another famous resident – T.E. Lawrence (also known as Lawrence of Arabia). Hardy moved back and forth between Dorset and London over many years, but eventually settled in the outskirts of Dorset’s county town, Dorchester.
Hardy’s early years
On 2 June 1840, Thomas Hardy was born in a cottage in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, near the market town of Dorchester. He was the eldest of four children of Thomas Hardy and Jemima Hand. He went to school in Stinsford and Dorchester.
Hardy later became assistant to Dorchester architect John Hicks and in 1862 moved to London to work for architect Arthur Blomfield.
After returning to Dorset in 1868, Hardy finished his first novel, The Poor Man and the Lady, but it was rejected by publishers. 2 Years later he met his future wife, Emma Lavinia Gifford, in St. Juliot, Cornwall, while working on the restoration of a local church.
In 1872 Hardy’s novel “Under the Greenwood Tree” was published and 2 years after that, his first literary success “Far from the Madding Crowd” was published. Hardy then married Emma Gifford and the two rented a house in London.
In the following years, his published works included The Hand of Ethelberta, The Return of the Native and The Trumpet-Majoris.
The Hardy’s return to Dorset in 1881 and later move into Max Gate, a house on the outskirts of Dorchester, which was designed by Hardy and built by his brother.
Hardy went on to write The Mayor of Casterbridge, Wessex Tales and Tess of the D´Urbervilles.
Hardy’s later years
In 1905 Hardy met Florence Emily Dugdale, his future second wife, when she became his secretary. 7 years later, Emma Hardy suddenly dies, leading to feelings of intense remorse in Hardy.
On his 80th birthday, Hardy received messages of congratulations from King George V and the Prime Minister, and was visited at Max Gate by a deputation from the Incorporated Society of Authors.
Thomas Hardy died on 11 January 1928. His heart was removed and buried in Emma Hardy’s grave at Stinsford Churchyard. His body was cremated and the ashes buried in Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey.
His last volume of poetry, Winter Words, was published posthumously.
Follow the Hardy Trail
You can read more about Thomas Hardy’s life in Dorset and even visit the locations which inspired his novels by following the Hardy Trail. Or you can delve even deeper and find out more in the Dorset Authors Collection.
Credit: https://www.visit-dorset.com/ideas-and-inspiration/history-and-heritage/literary-dorset/thomas-hardy
“Let me enjoy the earth no less because the all-enacting light that fashioned forth its loveliness had other aims than my delight.” – Thomas Hardy, Author. Dorset.
Are you a fan of the hit ITV crime drama, Broadchurch? If so, get the lowdown on behind the scenes information of the cast, producers and all the Dorset filming locations.
Our Jurassic Spectacular Tour visits the Broadchurch location. See the tour here: Jurassic Spectacular Tour
Broadchurch was penned by Doctor Who and Torchwood writer, Chris Chibnall, with each series boasting a star studded cast including David Tennant, Olivia Colman and Arthur Darvill.
Broadchurch …the story
Broadchurch first hit our screens back in March 2013 with the second series following in early 2015 and the final series in 2017. The premise has always been to explore how a tragic incident affects a small, close-knit community, and how the characters react to the media attention and the mutual suspicion that arises. Broadchurch is unique in how it shows how something terrible can happen in such a beautiful place.
The Dorset landscape was always intended to be a main character of the drama; Chris Chibnall wrote Broadchurch “as a love letter to the scenery of the Jurassic Coast which used key landmarks as part of its story.
The landscape informs the drama: the cliffs, the sea, the beach are all key elements of the story.”
Intimacy and secrecy surround the series keeping us continually guessing and on the edge of our seats.
Broadchurch cast and crew on filming in Dorset!
The spectacular location not only looked great on screen but it also found it’s way into the hearts of the cast and crew, who have adored Dorset, and who can blame them!
David Tennant, who played DI Alec Hardy commented after filming the last series in Dorset “I will miss our trips to the coast. West Bay and the Jurassic coastline I will definitely need to visit because there is something very special about that place and it is an extraordinary part of the country”.
Olivia Colman, who played DS Ellie Miller talked about Dorset’s beauty when being on location filming for the first series – “being on the cliff at Bridport in the sunshine during the first week of filming was just amazing. Idyllic”
Andy Buchan, who played Mark Latimer was asked if he would miss the locations that have become part of the Broadchurch phenomenon, to which he replied “I think I would take a holiday in Dorset every 10 minutes if I could. It is a spectacular part of the world. From the scenery to the people, the whole package down there is spot on.”
Jodie Whittaker who played Beth Latimer comments “I love being in Dorset. It’s a brilliant place to be and film”.
Julie Hesmondhalgh, who played Trish Winterman in the third series said “Well it was absolutely wonderful being down in Dorset, really beautiful and I had a period of time in the summer when I was down a lot and I had a little caravan on the beach (Freshwater Beach Holiday Park). I used to walk over the cliffs to West Bay to work in the morning and in the middle of summer it was absolutely lovely. It doesn’t get any better than that!”
When asked what she thought of West Bay, Eve Myles, who featured in the second series, replied “I’d never been there before – how glorious is that place and why haven’t I been before? It’s two hours from my house door to door, I’ll be going there a lot more. I was spotting out places to take the children next summer. It’s beautiful.”
Filming on the Jurassic Coast was a real bonus for Pauline Quirke, who played Susan Wright in the first two series, said “I have absolutely fallen in love with the place. I loved being at West Bay and when I got the chance I’d go off exploring. I have been to Lyme Regis and lots of other places just having a wander around with Bailey (her pet Labrador).”
“Even when the weather turned cold it was still beautiful.”
credit: https://www.visit-dorset.com/ideas-and-inspiration