Who Was…? biography series for middle grade inspires with the story of Jules Verne – a famous French author, often called “the father of science fiction.”
Jules Verne (1828-1905) was born in Nantes,
France. The family home was located on Feydeau Island, located on the Loire
River. From the balconies of their home, Jules with his brother watched many
boats move up and down the river. Jules dreamed of seeing faraway places those
ships had come from, and with his brother learned to sail a small boat on a
shallow river.
Jules didn’t like school much, but he did like
writing. After graduating from High School, he wanted to join a ship’s crew,
but his father, who was a lawyer, wanted him to study law. He studied law in
Paris, but he never worked as a lawyer. Instead, he followed his dream to
become a writer.
While living in Paris, he met famous writers of
its time, Victor Hugo and Alexander Dumas.
He worked at a theater, his job wasn’t related
to writing but it paid his bills.
Five years later, in 1857, he got married to a
widow with two children.
In 1859, thanks to his friend’s brother who
worked for a cargo shipping line, he was offered a free trip to England and
Scotland. His dream of adventure was becoming real.
In 1862, Jules met Pierre-Jules Hetzel who was
a magazine and book publisher, and agreed to publish Jules’ first novel – Five
Weeks in a Balloon which was a story of a journey over Africa.
Jules belonged to a group of men who discussed
the latest science news, which Jules integrated into his story-writing. His
publisher saw it as profitable venture and signed a contract with Jules despite
his first novel not doing that well.
Jules wrote the Adventures of Captain Hatteras.
Then, Journey to the Center of the Earth. These two novels made him one of the
most famous writers in France.
From the Earth to the Moon was published in the
fall of 1865 and sold out by Christmas.
He continued to gather his knowledge from
famous scientists and inventors. Joined with the experience from his travels,
he used it for writing.
He combined all things he was passionate about
in his book Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, which made him very famous.
In 1870, he received the National Order of the
Legion of Honor, France’s highest award.
1871 was a hard year for everyone during the
Franco-Prussian War. During war, the distinction has no meaning, so he had to
go back to doing whatever paid his bills and supported his family.
In 1872, he published Around the World in
Eighty Days, which became his most popular book.
With his success, he built a grand house in
Amiens. When his publisher died, he was very well-off, and decided to represent
the town council of Amiens. He wanted to make sure that poor people in the city
were cared for.
At seventy-seven, he had a stroke and never
recovered.
This biography exemplifies a man who stood by
what he dreamed about. When opportunity presented, he explored the world.
Throughout his life, he continuously gathered knowledge that interested him and
utilized it in his writing which took him to stardom.
This
illustrated biography for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable
way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts.
Published by Penguin Workshop in 2016
TRENDING INSPIRATION: He Stood by His Dreams
which Took Him to Stardom.
Traits:
·
From childhood, he craved adventure as he
observed boats passing by their house.
·
He wasn’t a good student but he recognized that
he liked writing.
·
Even when his father wanted him to study law,
he continued his writing.
·
After graduating law, he never worked as a
lawyer. Instead, he had the guts to stand by his dreams and defy his father in
following his calling.
·
His persistence made him one of the best
writers of all time.
·
His curiosity about science and travel combined
propelled him to be called the father of science fiction.
“We may brave human laws, but we cannot resist
natural ones.” – Jules Verne
“When one has taken root one puts out
branches.” – Jules Verne
“While there is life, there is hope.” – Jules
Verne
FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:
Jules’ dream became real because he made it part of his present time, NOW. It didn’t become some illusion. Dr. Wayne Dyer explores the subject of Now in his book “Wisdom of the Ages”
It is said that circumstances do not make a
man, they reveal him. There is the tendency to blame our past for our current
shortcomings. It is a ready excuse for refusing to take the risks. Jules’ was
the first born and it was expected of him to follow in his father’s footsteps.
When he decided not to work in law but to follow his dream, he was cut off from
any financial help from his father. He took risks and it paid off.
Let go of the past, the choice is yours to make
the NOW. Remove all blame from your vocabulary. We can learn from the past but
we live in the NOW.
The life changes when our approach to life
changes. And there is no better time than NOW.
