Rudyard Kipling - Puck of Pook's Hill: 'God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers''

Kipling's early experiences of cruelty and displacement shaped his literary journey, igniting a prolific career that spanned prose and poetry. His return to India at 16 deepened his exploration of identity and national allegiance, themes that resonate throughout his work. Renowned for classic children's tales and the poem "If..", he also revolutionized the short story format and produced significant novels, earning recognition as a leading writer of his time. His legacy as a great Victorian and an influential figure of Empire is firmly established.