Joseph Conrad author page

Joseph Conrad biography

Joseph Conrad was a Polish-British novelist and short story writer, born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski. He is known for his works exploring themes of adventure, morality, and the complexities of the human psyche. Conrad began his career as a seaman in the British merchant navy, which provided material for much of his fiction.

Conrad wrote in English, his third language, and published his first novel, Almayer’s Folly, in 1895. His notable works include Heart of Darkness (1899), which examines imperialism and colonialism in Africa, and Lord Jim (1900), a story about guilt and redemption. Other significant novels are Nostromo (1904), set in a fictional South American country, and The Secret Agent (1907), which deals with espionage and terrorism in London.

Conrad’s writing is characterised by complex narrative structures and a focus on the psychological depth of his characters. His experiences at sea and in various parts of the world influenced the settings and themes of his books. Conrad’s work has been studied for its narrative innovation and its exploration of moral ambiguity.

Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness was first published in 1899 in Blackwood’s Magazine and later collected in the 1902 volume Youth: A Narrative, and Two Other Stories.