William Makepeace Thackeray - The Fatal Boots: "Never lose a chance of saying a kind word."

Born in India in 1811, the author faced early tragedy with his father's death and a subsequent move to England. Despite a privileged education, he struggled to channel his talents until later in life, producing a wealth of literary works. His personal life was marked by challenges, including his wife's debilitating depression and his own health issues. Nevertheless, writing became his refuge, earning him recognition as one of the leading authors of his time, second only to Dickens.