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Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born in London, England on May 28, 1874 to Edward and Mary Louise (Grosjean) Chesterton. He married Francis Blogg on June 28, 1901. Although Chesterton is known for his mystery/crime/detective fiction, he first gained popularity as a journalist. In addition to his many novels, Chesterton wrote pieces of poetry, literary criticism and history, and social commentary. Interestingly, he is remembered most for his creation, Father Brown, who first appeared in
Chesterton died on June 14, 1936 in England from complications caused by an edematous condition. The
In "The Great Coincidence" Chesterton writes on the accuracy of his predictions with regard to the Boer War: "Facts fulfill the fancies.... Things may not be getting brighter; but they are getting clearer." Sardonically observing his profession, Chesterton remarks:
The word 'Informer'...does not mean anything low or vulgar. It does not mean spy or sneak. It means one who gives information. It means what 'journalist' ought to mean. The only difference is that the Common Informer may be paid if he tells the truth. The common journalist will be ruined if he does. Now the quite plain point before the party journalist is this. If he really means that a corrupt bargain between a Government and a contractor ought to be judged by public opinion, he must (nowadays) mean Parliament; that is the caucus that controls Parliament. And he must decide between one of two views. Either he means that there can be no such thing as a corrupt Government. Or he means that it is one of the characteristic qualities of a corrupt Government to denounce its own corruption. I laugh; and I leave him his choice."
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