Early life Richard Jefferies

jefferies in 1872

jefferies left school @ fifteen , @ first continued habits of solitary wanderings local countryside. dressed carelessly , allowed hair grow down collar. this, bent form , long, rapid stride made him object of wonder in town of swindon. unconscious of this, or indifferent it. helped little on farm (his enthusiasm chopping , splitting wood) , regarded of idler. gun carried drew suspicion of local landowners – 1 said, young jefferies not sort of fellow want hanging in covers . finally, in 1866, started work newspaper reporter north wiltshire herald. several years worked reporter, contributing not north wiltshire herald, wilts , gloucestershire standard , swindon advertiser. editor of swindon advertiser, william morris, antiquarian , local historian, lent jefferies books , encouraged writing attempts. jefferies himself developed antiquarian interest in countryside: published articles on local history in north wiltshire herald , first notice stone circle near coate farm. spending time on downs, particularly @ iron age hill fort, liddington castle, lie on grass, ecstatically feeling , seeking connection natural world. in september 1867 , july 1868 ill. in retrospect illnesses first symptoms of tuberculosis kill him. emerged them weakened , thin – legs thin grasshopper s , wrote aunt. illness prompted reconsideration of own character: going not swell stylish in future, since people set store appearance.

he actively pursuing career writer, writing history of goddards, local family, , reporting, editing, , authorship: practical hints beginners in literature (1873), in shared fruits of brief experience local reporter. meanwhile novels writing not find publisher. national attention attracted instead series of letters times on wiltshire agricultural labourer, published in november 1872. letters, other writings period, reflect conservative outlook of upbringing.

in 1874, year of first published novel, scarlet shawl, married jessie baden (1853–1926), daughter of nearby farmer. after living few months @ coate farm, couple moved house in swindon in 1875 (its current address 93 victoria road); , first child, richard harold jefferies, born there on 3 may.