Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll is a well-known personality who made significant contributions to the fields of poetry, mathematics, and photography. He was an intelligent writer and poet who used the technique of "Wordplay" to make his works more attractive. In this article, we will talk about his work, photographic skills, achievements, and inventions. We will also discuss his personal life, career, health problems, and much more. Let us get started.

About

Lewis Carroll was born on 27 January 1832 at Daresbury in England. He was popularly called Lewis Carroll, but his real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. He wrote English novels and poetries and was also indulged in mathematics works. Apart from pen and paper, Carroll followed his passion for photography. Between 1860 to 1875, he gave his best of the best works, which helped him secure his name in the list of popular poets of the 19th century. His most popular works include Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (published in 1865) and Through the Looking Glass (published in 1871).

He spent most of his life living in a Church. The reason behind this was that he was born into a family that followed strictly Christianity. His work is still appreciated in different parts of the world through the efforts of many societies. Carroll's fascination with wordplay, puzzles, and logic is evident in his writing, reflecting his background as a mathematician at Christ Church, Oxford. His stories often feature absurd and fantastical elements, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that captivates readers of all ages. "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" was first published in 1865 and tells the story of a young girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a bizarre and nonsensical world. The sequel, "Through the Looking-Glass," followed in 1871, taking Alice on a journey through a fantastical mirror world. Carroll's use of clever language, whimsical characters, and surreal settings has made his work enduring and influential. His stories have been adapted into numerous films, plays, and other media, and the characters, such as the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, have become iconic symbols of literary fantasy.

Early Life

Carroll's family originated from the northern part of England. His family was conservative and followed a different tradition from the rest of the crowd in the country. He was born into a defensive family; for example, his ancestors had served in significant positions in the Army. His father's name was Charles Dodgson. He had completed his primary education at the Westminster School. After that, he was admitted to the Christ Church in Oxford.

He was good at academics and received a degree in mathematics. He was married to his cousin Frances Jane Lutwidge. Lewis Carroll became a minster in the church and held the responsibility of a limited area of the country. His father received a benefice in Yorkshire. His family lived there for around 25 years. His father's nature was very conservative, and he was involved in religious fights within the Church of England, leaning toward Anglo-Catholicism and admiring figures like John Henry Newman. During his early education, Dodgson was homeschooled, displaying a precocious intellect. He developed a stammer, shared by many of his siblings, which affected his social interactions.

At twelve, he attended Richmond Grammar School and later Rugby School, where he excelled academically but found the experience unpleasant due to what he described as the hardships of daily life. Dodgson's nephew mentioned that he was known for defending smaller boys against bullies. Despite his difficulties at school, Dodgson's academic performance was evident, and he was an intelligent child. He entered the University of Oxford in 1850, where he achieved first-class honors in Mathematics Moderation in 1852 and Final Honours School of Mathematics in 1854.

He continued his studies at Christ Church, Oxford, where he was nominated for a Studentship and later obtained a Mathematical Lectureship in 1855. Despite a promising academic career, Dodgson faced distractions and failed an important scholarship exam in 1856. Nevertheless, his mathematical talent secured him the Christ Church Mathematical Lectureship, a position he held for 26 years. Throughout his life, Dodgson remained associated with Christ Church, holding various roles until he died in 1898. In addition to his academic pursuits, Dodgson had a passion for photography. His keen intellect, combined with a whimsical imagination, eventually led him to create the imaginative and enduring world of Wonderland under his pen name, Lewis Carroll.

Sickness and Injury

As per records, Lewis Carroll was a tall and handsome young man. He was around 6 feet tall. Blue eyes and curly brown hair enhanced his smartness. During his adulthood, he was met with a knee injury that led to his appearance looking asymmetric. During his childhood, he met with lots of accidents, which were responsible for his weaker body. For example, he suffered from a fever, and one of his ears stopped working. After that, a bacterial cough or a 100-day cough made his chest weaker. A stammer affected his ability to communicate properly. Stammer is the inability of a person to speak properly. The person suffering from the stammer takes a particular time gap between two or more words. There is a saying that he only stammers in front of adults and not in front of children. There is no written record to prove this statement right. He often refers to himself as Dodo (a character in the story of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland). Lewis Carroll was engaged in many entertaining activities like singing songs, performing mimicry, and being a good player in the word-guessing game called Charades.

Mathematics

Lewis Carroll, also known as Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, was really smart in math. He wrote almost twelve books on different math topics. He worked on things like shapes, numbers, and logic puzzles. One important thing he did was prove a theorem in algebra. Dodgson also had a job teaching math at Christ Church, which helped him financially. He did not just teach; he did a lot of his research. In math logic, Dodgson's ideas became interesting again in the late 1900s. People started looking at his work and thinking about how smart he was. Some of his ideas, like the Method of Trees, are still used today in logic studies.

Death

In 1898, Lewis Carroll died of flu and a respiratory disease. At that time, he was staying at his sister's house in Surrey. He died two weeks before his 66th birthday. His funeral happened at a nearby church. Carroll's legacy extends beyond his written and photographic works. His ability to blend imagination, wit, and logic has left an indelible mark on the world of literature and children's storytelling. His books continue to enchant readers and spark the imagination of generations. His influence can be seen in the works of many subsequent authors who explore the realms of fantasy and nonsense. Lewis Carroll's legacy endures, and his Wonderland remains a timeless and enchanting destination for readers of all ages.

Criticism

Lewis Carol had a keen interest in children, mostly in teen girls. As we discussed above, he did not stammer in front of the children and not the adults. This shows that Lewis was very comfortable with the children. He had faced many allegations against his character. People called him a pedophile (it is a psychiatric disorder in which an adult experiences a sexual feeling towards teen girls). Each time, Carol denied these allegations.

Works

1. Writing Work

2. Mathematical Works

3. Other Works

Conclusion

Lewis Carroll, born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, stands as a multifaceted figure whose brilliance transcended the boundaries of literature, mathematics, and photography. His imaginative storytelling, exemplified in works like "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," continues to captivate readers worldwide. Carroll's contributions to mathematics, marked by books on algebra and logic, showcase his intellectual versatility.

Despite facing personal challenges, including health issues and controversies surrounding his interactions with children, Carroll's legacy remains influential. His impact on literature, mathematics, and logic endures, with his works still celebrated and studied in the present day. Lewis Carroll's life reflects a unique blend of creativity, intellect, and controversy, leaving an indelible mark on the realms of fantasy, logic, and storytelling. As readers continue to journey through Wonderland and explore his mathematical musings, Carroll's legacy continues to inspire curiosity and fascination across generations.