George Eliot, or Mary Ann Evans, was one of the most influential writers of the Victorian era. She was born on November 22, 1819, in the rural village of Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England. She was the youngest of five children in a devoutly religious family. Her father, Robert Evans, was the estate manager of a local country house, and her mother, Christiana Pearson Evans, was a strong influence on her intellectual and moral development. Mary Ann’s early education was unconventional for a girl of her time. Her father allowed her access to his extensive library, where she read voraciously. Her mother’s death in 1836 marked a turning point in her life, causing her to question her religious beliefs and embark on a journey of self-discovery.

In 1851, Mary Ann moved to London, discovering its vibrant intellectual and literary scene. She began writing essays, reviews, and translations for various publications, gradually establishing her reputation as a writer and critic. During this period, she adopted the pseudonym of George Eliot to ensure that her work was taken seriously in the male-dominated literary world. The choice of a male name allowed her to gain a foothold in an industry that often dismissed female authors.