Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe

George Eliot was the pen name of English Victorian author, Mary Anne Evans (1819-1880). Silas Marner is the third of nine novels authored by her. She used a male pseudonym to escape the stereotype of lighthearted romances, and to ensure that her work would be taken seriously. She also wanted to avoid public scrutiny of her private life with married philosopher and critic, George Henry Lewes, who mentored her, with whom she lived for 20 years.. She was, no doubt, troubled because of her lack-luster appearance, and was disenchanted with religion. Because of her exceptional intelligence, her father endeavored to provide her a good education, something she took part in only until age 16. After that, she studied on her own, being allowed access to the vast library of Aubrey Hall. In 1850 she moved to London with the intent of becoming a writer, originally calling herself Mirian Evans. It was shortly after this when her relationship with Lewes began, and in 1856 her first novel was published. Lewes died in 1878, and two years later, in May of 1880, she married John Cross. Her death came before the end of that year.