William Makepeace Thackeray.

Name: The Newcomes
Author: William Makepeace Thackeray

Born 18 Jul 1811 Calcutta, India

Died 24 Dec 1863 London, United Kingdom

Citizenship United Kingdom

6 min read

Reading time

1,010

Words

Apr 19, 2026

Published

185

Books

TL;DR

Vanity Fair 1848 made Thackeray famous as a satirist. He also published The Luck of Barry Lyndon in 1844, adapted into a 1975 Stanley Kubrick film. Thackeray attended Charterhouse School and Cambridge University.

Identity & family.

KIN · 7

Names, aliases, and relatives of William Makepeace Thackeray — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Aliases William M. Thackeray, Thackeray

PARENTS: Anne Becher Richmond Thackeray
SPOUSES: Isabella Gethin Shawe
CHILDREN: Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie Harriet Stephen Jane Thackeray
SIBLINGS: Thomas Thackeray

At a glance.

STATS

William Makepeace Thackeray by the numbers — life, work, and family.

52 Years lived

185 Books

1 Marriage

3 Children

Who was William Makepeace Thackeray?

BIOGRAPHY

William Makepeace Thackeray — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

William Makepeace Thackeray was born on July 18, 1811, in Calcutta, British India, to Anne Becher and Richmond Thackeray, a civil servant. His father died when he was young, and he was sent to England at age five. He attended Charterhouse School and later Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, though he left without a degree.

Career

In 1848, Thackeray published Vanity Fair, a satirical novel subtitled A Novel Without a Hero that mocked English society. He had already published The Luck of Barry Lyndon in 1844, which Stanley Kubrick directed as a 1975 film. Thackeray illustrated his own works and contributed to magazines such as Fraser’s Magazine and Punch.

Personal life

Thackeray married Isabella Gethin Shawe. They had three daughters: Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie, Harriet Stephen, and Jane Thackeray. He also had a brother, Thomas Thackeray. Thackeray’s father died early, and he was largely raised by his mother in England.

Legacy

Vanity Fair has seen multiple film, television, and stage adaptations. The Luck of Barry Lyndon gained renewed attention after Stanley Kubrick’s 1975 film. Victorian literature courses still examine Thackeray’s social satire. Comedian Al Murray is his great-great-great-great grandson.

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 185

William Makepeace Thackeray's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

The Newcomes

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

The Virginians

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

History of Henry Esmond, Esq

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

Barry Lyndon

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

The Rose and the Ring

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

Roundabout Papers

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

The Book of Snobs

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

The Adventures of Philip on His Way Through the World

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

Burlesques

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

The Four Georges

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

History of Pendennis

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

The Christmas Books of Mr. M. A. Titmarsh

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

The Paris Sketch Book of Mr. M. A. Titmarsh

by William Makepeace Thackeray
Amazon

Ballads

by William Makepeace Thackeray

Could not load more books.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 2

A wall of memorable lines from William Makepeace Thackeray — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Remember: It Is as Easy to Marry a Rich Woman as a Poor Woman.
A Good Laugh Is Sunshine in the House..

Did you know?

FACTS · 1

Little-known facts about William Makepeace Thackeray — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Comedian Al Murray is Thackeray’s great-great-great-great grandson.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 30

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about William Makepeace Thackeray.

When was William Makepeace Thackeray born?

William Makepeace Thackeray was born on July 18, 1811. He was born in Calcutta, which was then part of British India.
Where was William Makepeace Thackeray born?

William Makepeace Thackeray was born in Calcutta, in the Bengal Presidency of British India, which is now modern-day India. His father was a civil servant there.
When did William Makepeace Thackeray die?

William Makepeace Thackeray died on December 24, 1863. He passed away in London, England at the age of 52.
How old was William Makepeace Thackeray when he died?

William Makepeace Thackeray was 52 years old when he died on December 24, 1863. He was born in 1811.
Where did William Makepeace Thackeray die?

William Makepeace Thackeray died in London, England, UK. He had been living in England after returning from India as a child.
What was William Makepeace Thackeray's occupation?

William Makepeace Thackeray was a British writer and illustrator, best known for his novels. He also contributed to magazines and worked as a soundtrack artist.
What nationality was William Makepeace Thackeray?

William Makepeace Thackeray was British. He was born in British India but held British citizenship.
Who were William Makepeace Thackeray's parents?

William Makepeace Thackeray’s parents were Anne Becher and Richmond Thackeray. His father worked for the British East India Company.
Who was William Makepeace Thackeray married to?

William Makepeace Thackeray was married to Isabella Gethin Shawe. They had three daughters together.
How many children did William Makepeace Thackeray have?

William Makepeace Thackeray had three daughters: Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie, Harriet Stephen, and Jane Thackeray. His daughter Anne Isabella became a noted writer herself.
Did William Makepeace Thackeray have any siblings?

Yes, William Makepeace Thackeray had a brother named Thomas Thackeray. He was the younger brother.
What schools did William Makepeace Thackeray attend?

William Makepeace Thackeray attended Charterhouse School and later Trinity College at the University of Cambridge. He studied at these institutions in England.
What was William Makepeace Thackeray known for?

William Makepeace Thackeray is best known for his satirical novel Vanity Fair, published in 1848, and his novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon, published in 1844. The latter was adapted into a film by Stanley Kubrick in 1975.
Was William Makepeace Thackeray married?

Yes, William Makepeace Thackeray was married to Isabella Gethin Shawe. They had three daughters together.
What other names is William Makepeace Thackeray known by?

William Makepeace Thackeray is sometimes referred to as William M. Thackeray or simply Thackeray. These aliases appear in some publications.
What is William Makepeace Thackeray's most famous work?

Thackeray’s most famous work is Vanity Fair, a satirical novel that critiques British society. It was published in 1848 and remains a classic.
What is The Luck of Barry Lyndon?

The Luck of Barry Lyndon is a picaresque novel by Thackeray, published in 1844. It was adapted into a 1975 film directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Who directed the film adaptation of Barry Lyndon?

The film adaptation of The Luck of Barry Lyndon was directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1975. The film is known for its meticulous period detail.
Did William Makepeace Thackeray illustrate his own books?

Yes, Thackeray was also an illustrator and often illustrated his own novels. He contributed drawings to his serialized works.
What is the connection between Thackeray and comedian Al Murray?

Comedian Al Murray is the great-great-great-great grandson of William Makepeace Thackeray. This makes Thackeray a direct ancestor of the British comedian.
What was Thackeray's early education like?

Thackeray was sent to England at a young age and attended Charterhouse School. He later studied at Trinity College, Cambridge.
What is Thackeray's writing style known for?

Thackeray’s writing is known for its satirical tone and social commentary. He often mocked the hypocrisy of Victorian society.
What was Thackeray's father's profession?

Richmond Thackeray, Thackeray’s father, was a civil servant for the British East India Company. He died when Thackeray was young.
What was the name of Thackeray's mother?

Thackeray’s mother was Anne Becher. She remarried after the death of her husband.
How many siblings did Thackeray have?

Thackeray had one brother, Thomas Thackeray, but no sisters mentioned.
What are the names of Thackeray's daughters?

Thackeray’s three daughters were Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie, Harriet Stephen, and Jane Thackeray. Anne Isabella became a writer and memoirist.
Did Thackeray have any other notable relatives?

Besides his brother Thomas, Thackeray’s great-great-great-great grandson is comedian Al Murray.
When was Vanity Fair published?

Vanity Fair was published in 1848. It is considered Thackeray’s masterpiece.
When was The Luck of Barry Lyndon published?

The Luck of Barry Lyndon was published in 1844, four years before Vanity Fair.
What was Thackeray's role at magazines?

Thackeray contributed to periodicals like Fraser’s Magazine and Punch. He wrote serialized fiction and satirical sketches.

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Audited & updated by

Emma has 8 years of editorial experience and a very clear idea of what a good biography looks like. At Famousy, she runs the editorial operation and decides what meets the bar and what doesn't. She's the kind of editor who remembers the profiles she pushed back on more clearly than the ones she approved. That's not a complaint. That's exactly why the site reads the way it does.

Published on April 19, 2026

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