"The Virginians: A Tale of the Last Century" is a historical novel by William Makepeace Thackeray that serves as a sequel to his earlier work, "Henry Esmond," while also having loose connections to "Pendennis." Set in the 18th century, the story revolves around Henry Esmond's twin grandsons, George and Henry Warrington, who were born in Virginia. The narrative unfolds as Henry Warrington becomes romantically involved with an older woman, which prompts him to join the British army and participate in the 1759 capture of Quebec under the leadership of General Wolfe. However, when the American War of Independence breaks out, Henry aligns himself with the revolutionary cause, while his brother George, also a British officer, decides to resign from his commission rather than fight against his own family. Thackeray expertly combines personal relationships and historical events to explore themes of love, loyalty, and the complexities of individual choices during a time of significant political upheaval. "The Virginians" showcases Thackeray's skill in capturing the nuances of human emotions and the societal shifts brought about by historical events.
William Makepeace Thackeray was a British novelist, author, and illustrator. He was born on July 18, 1811, and died on December 24, 1863. He is known for his satirical works, like the novel Vanity Fair, which is a wide-ranging look at British society, and the novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon, which Stanley Kubrick turned into a movie in 1975. Thackeray was born in Calcutta, British India. His father, Richmond Thackeray, worked for the East India Company as secretary to the Board of Revenue from September 1, 1781, to September 13, 1815. Anne Becher (1792–1864) was his mother. She was the second daughter of Harriet Becher and John Harman Becher, who both worked for the East India Company as secretaries (writers). When Richmond died in 1815, Anne sent her son to live in England while she stayed in India. The ship he was on stopped for a short time at Saint Helena, where he was shown where Napoleon was being held. Once he moved to England, he went to school in Southampton and Chiswick. He then went to Charterhouse School, where he met John Leech and became a close friend. Thackeray didn't like Charterhouse, so in his story "Slaughterhouse," he made fun of it.
