130. The English novelist who knew no English at age 20

Polish novelist Joseph Conrad (1857-1924), could speak no English at age 20, but he went on to become an outstanding novelist, best known for his tales of seafaring life including Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim. 

Almost all of Conrad's writings were first published in newspapers and magazines.

A master prose stylist he is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language.

A literary impressionist Conrad is considered an early modernist.

He is best known to create anti-heroic characters which was not a trend during those days.

His novel Lord Jim is the finesse example to learn how an anti- hero can be a lovable person.

It was in the year 1889, when Conrad began writing his first novel, Almayer’s Folly. The Book was published in 1895. Its appearance marked his first use of the pen name Joseph 

After Almayer's Folly the second book An Outcast of the Islands was published. These two books laid the foundation for Conrad's reputation as a romantic teller of exotic tales.

Conrad’s influence on later novelists has been profound both because of his masterly technical innovations and because of the vision of humanity expressed through them. 

Conrad is a great inspiration to those who think that mastering a language is a very difficult task.