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Morley Roberts (1857-1942) was a distinguished English novelist, short story writer, and travelogue author whose literary contributions spanned the late Victorian era and the early 20th century. Born on December 29, 1857, in London, he embarked on seafaring adventures in his youth, a period that deeply influenced his later writing. Roberts is perhaps best remembered for his vivid recollection of vagabond life in his autobiographical work 'A Tramp's Notebook' (1904), which offers a compelling depiction of the wanderings and musings of a peripatetic soul. His narrative style is characterized by a rich portrayal of characters, often drawn from his extensive travels and diverse experiences as a laborer and adventurer across various continents. This work, among others, displays Roberts' adeptness in combining his observational skills with a naturalist's attention to the environment, a literary approach reminiscent of his contemporaries, such as Thomas Hardy and Jack London. Beyond travel literature, Morley Roberts' oeuvre includes a significant number of novels and short stories that delve into the psychological experiences of his protagonists, reflecting the social and economic tensions of his time. While not as widely celebrated in the modern literary canon, Roberts' writing continues to garner interest for its historical value and its insightful portrayal of a world in transition from the constraints of Victorian society to the uncertainties of the 20th century.
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