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Rudyard Kipling summary

Rudyard Kipling , (born Dec. 30, 1865, Bombay, India—died Jan. 18, 1936, London, Eng.), Indian-born British novelist, short-story writer, and poet. The son of a museum curator, he was reared in England but returned to India as a journalist. He soon became famous for volumes of stories, beginning with Plain Tales from the Hills (1888; including “The Man Who Would Be King”), and later for the poetry collection Barrack-Room Ballads (1892; including “Gunga Din” and “Mandalay”). His poems, often strongly rhythmic, are frequently narrative ballads. During a residence in the U.S., he published a novel, The Light That Failed (1890); the two Jungle Book s (1894, 1895), stories of the wild boy Mowgli in the Indian jungle that have become children’s classics; the adventure story Captains Courageous (1897); and Kim (1901), one of the great novels of India. He wrote six other volumes of short stories and several other verse collections. His children’s books include the famous Just So Stories (1902) and the fairy-tale collection Puck of Pook’s Hill (1906). He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. His extraordinary popularity in his own time declined as his reputation suffered after World War I because of his widespread image as a jingoistic imperialist.

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• Rudyard Kipling - Facts

Rudyard Kipling

Photo from the Nobel Foundation archive.

Rudyard Kipling The Nobel Prize in Literature 1907

Born: 30 December 1865, Bombay, British India (now Mumbai, India)

Died: 18 January 1936, London, United Kingdom

Residence at the time of the award: United Kingdom

Prize motivation: “in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author”

Language: English

Prize share: 1/1

Rudyard Kipling was born in Mumbai and lived with relatives in England between the ages of 6 and 17, when he returned to India. As a child he spoke English, Hindi and Portuguese. This is evident in his writing, which revolves around issues of language and identity. After returning to India, Kipling traveled around the country as a correspondent. Contemporary Great Britain appreciated him for his depictions of life, religions, traditions and nature in what was then the British colony of India.

As a poet, short story writer, journalist and novelist, Rudyard Kipling described the British colonial empire in positive terms, which made his poetry popular in the British Army. The Jungle Book (1894) has made him known and loved by children throughout the world, especially thanks to Disney’s 1967 film adaptation. The Swedish Academy pointed out that Kipling’s special strengths were his personal portraits and descriptions of social settings that “penetrate to the essence of things” rather than just reproducing the transitory.

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Rudyard Kipling Biography: Life, Achievements, and Legacy

{ Read his poems }

Rudyard Kipling, born on December 30, 1865, in Bombay, India, was an English author, poet, and journalist whose extensive body of work has made him one of the most influential literary figures of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His vivid storytelling and unforgettable characters brought to life the culture and spirit of the British Empire and the Indian subcontinent, earning him a dedicated and widespread readership.

Kipling’s work spans various literary genres, including short stories, novels, and poetry, which have been celebrated for their exceptional narrative quality, captivating characters, and profound exploration of human nature. With classics like The Jungle Book, Kim, and the Just So Stories, Kipling introduced readers to rich, fantastical worlds while also addressing the complex social and political issues of his time.

His writings continue to inspire and provoke discussions on subjects such as colonialism, race, and the human experience, while also influencing countless authors and artists that followed him. As a testament to his literary prowess, Kipling was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907, further solidifying his position as a towering figure in the realm of English literature.

Table of Contents

Early Life and Influences

Birth and family background.

Rudyard Kipling was born on December 30, 1865, in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, to John Lockwood Kipling and Alice Macdonald Kipling. His father, an artist and educator, was the principal and professor of architectural sculpture at the Jeejeebhoy School of Art in Bombay. His mother, Alice, was a vivacious woman with a strong social circle, which included many influential figures of the time. Rudyard was named after the picturesque Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire, England, where his parents had met and courted.

Education and formative experiences

United services college.

At the age of six, Kipling was sent to England to receive a British education, as was customary for children of British colonial officials. He attended the United Services College in Westward Ho!, Devon, a boarding school that primarily prepared boys for military service. It was here that Kipling experienced the harsh realities of British boarding school life, which he later chronicled in his semi-autobiographical novel, Stalky & Co. (1899). Kipling’s time at the United Services College helped shape his outlook on life and instilled in him a deep appreciation for discipline, order, and loyalty.

Influence of India on his work

Kipling’s childhood years in India had a lasting impact on his writing, as he was captivated by the country’s vibrant culture, folklore, and diverse landscape. The sights, sounds, and experiences of his early years in Bombay permeated his work, providing rich and authentic details that set his stories apart. Kipling’s deep connection to India would later serve as the backdrop for some of his most acclaimed works, including The Jungle Book, Kim, and many of his short stories.

Apprenticeship as a journalist

Work at the civil and military gazette.

At the age of 16, Kipling returned to India to work as a journalist at the Civil and Military Gazette, an English-language newspaper in Lahore (now in Pakistan). During his time there, he honed his writing skills and developed a keen eye for observing and capturing the subtleties of human nature. He also began publishing his poetry and short stories in the newspaper, marking the beginning of his literary career.

Work at The Pioneer

In 1887, Kipling moved to Allahabad to work for The Pioneer, another prominent English-language newspaper in India. This new position allowed him to further develop his journalistic and literary skills, while also offering him the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the Indian subcontinent. These experiences further enriched his writing, as he gained invaluable insights into the lives, customs, and struggles of the diverse people who inhabited the region.

Literary Career

Early writings and poetry, departmental ditties (1886).

Kipling’s first collection of verse, Departmental Ditties, was published in 1886. It contained satirical poems that humorously depicted the bureaucracy and daily life of British colonial administration in India. The poems showcased Kipling’s wit and keen observational skills, highlighting the foibles and eccentricities of the characters he encountered during his journalistic career.

Plain Tales from the Hills (1888)

In 1888, Kipling published his first collection of short stories, Plain Tales from the Hills. The stories, initially published in the Civil and Military Gazette, offered a unique glimpse into the lives of British colonial officers, their families, and the local Indian population. Kipling’s vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling made the collection an instant success, both in India and England.

The Barrack-Room Ballads (1892)

In 1892, Kipling released The Barrack-Room Ballads, a collection of poems that captured the experiences of British soldiers in India. Among the most famous of these poems is “Gunga Din,” which tells the story of an Indian water-bearer who bravely saves a British soldier’s life despite facing discrimination and ill-treatment.

Danny Deever

Another notable poem from The Barrack-Room Ballads is “Danny Deever,” which recounts the execution of a British soldier for murdering a fellow comrade. The poem’s somber tone and vivid imagery struck a chord with readers and further demonstrated Kipling’s versatility as a writer.

The Jungle Book (1894) and The Second Jungle Book (1895)

Mowgli’s story.

Kipling’s most famous work, The Jungle Book, was published in 1894, followed by The Second Jungle Book in 1895. The books consist of a series of short stories, with the most well-known centering on Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves in the Indian jungle. Mowgli’s adventures and encounters with various animals, including the wise panther Bagheera and the villainous tiger Shere Khan, have captivated readers for generations.

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

Another beloved story from The Jungle Book is “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi,” which tells the tale of a courageous mongoose who protects a human family from two deadly cobras. The story is a testament to Kipling’s ability to create memorable characters and weave engaging tales that transcend time and culture.

Captains Courageous (1897)

Captains Courageous, published in 1897, is a coming-of-age novel that follows the journey of Harvey Cheyne, a spoiled American boy who is transformed through his experiences working on a fishing schooner. The novel showcases Kipling’s talent for capturing the human spirit and the challenges faced by individuals in unique circumstances.

Kim, published in 1901, is Kipling’s most acclaimed novel. Set in colonial India, it tells the story of Kimball O’Hara, a young orphan who becomes embroiled in the “Great Game” of espionage and political intrigue between the British and Russian Empires. The novel is a rich exploration of the complexities of identity, loyalty, and friendship, as well as a vivid portrayal of the Indian subcontinent’s diverse culture and landscape.

Just So Stories (1902)

In 1902, Kipling published the Just So Stories, a collection of imaginative and humorous tales for children that explain how various animals acquired their unique features, such as “How the Leopard Got His Spots” and “The Elephant’s Child.”

Puck of Pook’s Hill (1906) and Rewards and Fairies (1910)

Puck of Pook’s Hill, published in 1906, is a collection of short stories and poems centered around the adventures of two English children, Dan and Una, who encounter Puck, a mischievous and wise fairy from ancient English folklore. This collection of short stories introduces the children to a series of historical figures, transporting them through various eras of English history. The stories are woven together with Kipling’s deep love for his country and its rich heritage. Rewards and Fairies, the sequel published in 1910, continues the adventures of Dan and Una with Puck as their guide, providing further insights into England’s history and mythology.

Later writings and poetry

A diversity of creatures (1917).

A Diversity of Creatures, published in 1917, is a collection of short stories and poems that reflect Kipling’s diverse literary interests and talents. The collection includes tales that delve into the human condition, explore the natural world, and touch upon the social and political issues of the time. Some of the notable stories in this collection include “Mary Postgate,” a chilling tale of revenge, and “The Eye of Allah,” which explores the consequences of the discovery of a powerful scientific invention.

Debits and Credits (1926)

Debits and Credits, published in 1926, is another collection of short stories and poems that showcase Kipling’s versatility as a writer. This collection touches on a wide range of themes, from the complexities of human relationships to the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in wartime. The poignant tale “The Gardener,” for instance, tells the story of a woman’s quest to find her nephew’s grave after World War I. These later works by Kipling further demonstrate his ability to captivate readers with his storytelling and to delve deeply into the human experience.

Personal Life

Marriage to caroline balestier.

In 1892, Kipling married Caroline “Carrie” Balestier, the sister of his American publisher and collaborator Wolcott Balestier. Their union was marked by a deep mutual affection and understanding, with Carrie providing the emotional and practical support that Kipling needed to navigate the demands of his literary career. Together, they had three children: Josephine, Elsie, and John.

Life in the United States

Naulakha, their vermont home.

Shortly after their marriage, Kipling and Carrie moved to the United States, where they built a home called “Naulakha” in Dummerston, Vermont. This period in Kipling’s life was marked by both personal happiness and professional success, as he penned some of his most enduring works, including The Jungle Book and Captains Courageous, while enjoying the serenity and beauty of the Vermont countryside.

Relationship with American culture and people

Kipling’s time in the United States allowed him to develop an appreciation for American culture and its people, whom he found to be warm, friendly, and open-hearted. His experiences in America influenced his writing, as he incorporated American themes and characters into his works, such as the protagonist of Captains Courageous. However, Kipling’s relationship with America was not without its challenges, as he faced criticism for his views on imperialism and international politics.

Return to England

Bateman’s, their sussex home.

In 1896, after a legal dispute with Carrie’s brother, the Kiplings decided to return to England. They settled in a 17th-century house called Bateman’s in Burwash, East Sussex, where Kipling found solace and inspiration in the English countryside. Bateman’s would remain their home for the rest of Kipling’s life, serving as a sanctuary where he could write and reflect on the world around him.

Kipling’s later years and friendships

Kipling’s later years were marked by both personal tragedy and professional triumph. He faced the heartbreaking loss of his daughter Josephine to pneumonia in 1899 and his son John in World War I in 1915. Despite these challenges, Kipling continued to write and maintain friendships with notable figures of his time, including fellow authors H.G. Wells and Henry James. As Kipling aged, his literary output slowed, but he remained a respected and influential figure in the world of English literature until his death in 1936.

Literary Achievements and Honors

Nobel prize in literature (1907).

In 1907, Rudyard Kipling was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive this prestigious honor. The Swedish Academy lauded Kipling for his extraordinary narrative gifts and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in a powerful and vivid manner. The Nobel Prize not only recognized Kipling’s exceptional body of work but also cemented his place as one of the most important literary figures of his time.

Influence on contemporary writers

Kipling’s innovative storytelling, unique characters, and masterful use of language have left an indelible mark on the world of literature. He has influenced countless authors, including Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, and J.R.R. Tolkien, who have drawn inspiration from his vivid descriptions, moral themes, and compelling narratives. Kipling’s work has also been adapted for film, television, and stage, further attesting to the enduring appeal and relevance of his stories.

Criticisms and controversies

Accusations of racism and imperialism.

Despite his significant literary achievements, Kipling’s work has not been without controversy. Critics have accused him of promoting racism and imperialism, particularly in his portrayal of non-European cultures and his endorsement of British colonial rule. Kipling’s famous poem “The White Man’s Burden” has been widely criticized for its paternalistic and condescending tone towards colonized peoples.

Kipling’s response to critics

Kipling was not oblivious to the criticisms of his work and the controversy surrounding his views on race and imperialism. In some instances, he defended his position, arguing that he genuinely believed in the civilizing mission of the British Empire. In other cases, Kipling acknowledged the complexities and contradictions inherent in colonial rule, as evidenced by the nuanced portrayal of characters and situations in works like Kim. While Kipling’s views on race and imperialism remain a subject of debate, his literary contributions and their impact on generations of readers and writers cannot be denied.

Enduring Legacy

Adaptations of kipling’s work, film and television adaptations.

The enduring appeal of Rudyard Kipling’s stories is evident in the numerous film and television adaptations of his work. Among the most famous adaptations are the multiple versions of The Jungle Book, which have captivated audiences worldwide with their engaging characters and memorable songs. Additionally, other works like Kim, Captains Courageous, and Rikki-Tikki-Tavi have been brought to life on screen, introducing Kipling’s stories to new generations of viewers and solidifying his status as a beloved storyteller.

Influence on popular culture

Kipling’s work has also made a significant impact on popular culture, with phrases from his poems and stories becoming part of the common lexicon. For example, the expression “the law of the jungle” is derived from The Jungle Book, while “East is East, and West is West” comes from his poem “The Ballad of East and West.” Kipling’s characters, stories, and themes continue to resonate with contemporary audiences, demonstrating his enduring influence on our collective imagination.

Continued impact on literature

Themes and motifs in kipling’s work.

Kipling’s work is characterized by its exploration of themes such as the complexities of human nature, the struggle for survival, and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in challenging situations. His stories often feature characters who must navigate the tensions between tradition and modernity, loyalty and betrayal, and duty and desire. These timeless themes continue to inspire and engage readers, while also providing a rich source of study for scholars and critics.

Kipling’s place in the literary canon

Despite the controversies surrounding some aspects of his work, Rudyard Kipling’s place in the literary canon remains secure. His unique storytelling style, evocative descriptions, and memorable characters have made him a towering figure in the world of English literature. Kipling’s work has been analyzed, interpreted, and celebrated for generations, and his influence on subsequent writers is undeniable. As a result, his stories and poems continue to be read, studied, and cherished, ensuring that his literary legacy will endure for years to come.

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Rudyard Kipling

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born December 30, 1865, in Mumbai, India, to a British family. When he was five years old, he was taken to England to begin his education, where he suffered deep feelings of abandonment and confusion after living a pampered lifestyle as a colonial. He returned to India at the age of seventeen to work as a journalist and editor for the Civil and Military Gazette in Lahore. Kipling published his first collection of verse, Departmental Ditties and Other Verses, in 1886 and his first collection of stories, Plain Tales from the Hills, in 1888.

In the early 1890s, some of Kipling’s poems were published in William Ernest Henley’s National Observer and later collected in to Barrack-Room Ballads (1892), an immensely popular collection which contained “Gunga Din” and “Mandalay.” In 1892, Kipling married and moved to Vermont, where he published the two Jungle Books and began work on Kim . He returned to England with his family in 1896 and published another novel, Captains Courageous . Kipling visited South Africa during the Boer War, editing a newspaper there and writing the Just-So Stories . Kim, Kipling’s most successful novel (and his last), appeared in 1901. The Kipling family moved to Sussex permanently in 1902, and he devoted the rest of his life to writing poetry and short stories, including his most famous poem, “ If— .” 

Kipling died on January 18, 1936. His ashes are interred in Westminster Abbey.

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(1865–1936). Millions of children have spent happy hours with Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Books and Just So Stories about the land and people of India long ago. Kipling was a master storyteller. His songs, which are written in a strong marching rhythm, have the same popular style as his other writing.

Rudyard Kipling knew India well. He was born in Bombay on Dec. 30, 1865, when India was part of the British Empire. Beyond the cities and highways of British India, where the English lived, lay strange primitive country. Rudyard and his younger sister, Alice, had an Indian nurse who told them wonderful tales about the jungle animals. These stories remained in the boy’s memory.

When Rudyard was about 6, he and his sister were sent to England to be educated. They were left in the unhappy home of a retired naval officer at Southsea, where the boy was often punished by being forbidden to read. Rudyard almost ruined his eyes by reading in secret every book he could lay his hands on. In the story “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep,” Kipling later described the six miserable years the two children spent in this “house of desolation.”

In 1877 his mother came home from India and remade his world. He and his sister were taken to Devonshire to spend the summer with her. The next year his father came home on leave and took Rudyard to see the great Paris Exhibition, the beginning of Kipling’s lifelong love for France. At the end of this holiday the boy was sent to the United Service College at Westward Ho in Devonshire to be educated for the army. Rudyard read constantly—French literature, the English Bible, English poets, and storytellers such as Defoe. In this school also he developed a passionate faith in England and the English people. His years at Devonshire are recorded in Stalky & Co. , one of the best stories about schoolboys.

Kipling’s father was now principal of the Mayo School of Art at Lahore, in northwest India. When Rudyard was almost 17, he joined his family there. He became a reporter on the one daily newspaper in the Punjab, the Civil and Military Gazette. To get material for his newspaper articles he traveled around India for about seven years and came to know the country as few other Englishmen did.

Now Kipling began to write the poems and short stories about the British soldier in India that established his reputation as a writer. Such books as Plain Tales from the Hills , published in 1888, Soldiers Three (1888), and Barrack-Room Ballads (1892) emerged. The slim volume of Departmental Ditties (1886) he edited, printed, published, and sold himself.

In 1890 his book The Light That Failed told of his efforts to make a living as a writer. When his reputation was firmly established, he married an American, Caroline Balestier, and started off with her on a trip around the world. They settled in Vermont, where their first child was born, and where Kipling wrote the tales that were to make up his Jungle Books (1894, 1895). Kipling’s father visited them and made the famous drawings that were published first, with the stories, in St. Nicholas.

Their family physician had once served with the Gloucester fishing fleet, and he persuaded Kipling to go to Gloucester for the annual memorial service for the men who had been lost or drowned during the year. From this experience came the inspiration for Captains Courageous (1897).

After four years in America, the Kiplings decided that their real home was in England. They rented a house in a Sussex village, where in 1897 their only son, John, was born.

The story that is known as Kim had been in Kipling’s mind for years. Now, stimulated by his father’s keen interest, he began to write it. The book was first published in 1901.

Long visits to South Africa, where the Kiplings formed a friendship with Cecil Rhodes, and another trip through North America varied the Sussex life. Early in 1902 they bought a house near the Sussex Downs. All around it was land that had been cultivated since before the Norman Conquest. Thus, stories about Roman times, Puck of Pook’s Hill (1906) and Rewards and Fairies (1910), were begun. Volumes of history cannot give the vital impression that these stories give of England’s past. Together they form a chain of “scents and sights and sounds” that reaches to the very heart of England and its history.

In 1907 Kipling was awarded the Nobel prize for literature. World War I brought personal tragedy when his son was killed fighting in France with the Irish Guards. More and more he withdrew from the active scene, spending the greater part of the year in his Sussex farmhouse. When he was nearly 70 years old, he began to write his autobiography, Something of Myself . This curiously revealing book was published a year after his death.

Kipling died on Jan. 18, 1936, in the same month that brought the death of England’s king, George V. The writer was buried in Westminster Abbey among England’s honored sons.

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Rudyard Kipling: 6 Facts About 'The Jungle Book' Creator

With several adaptions of the book hitting the big screen over the years, take a look at the original classic and its creator:

Kipling wrote The Jungle Book while living in the United States

Kipling had been good friends with American writer and editor Wolcott Balestier, and he ended up marrying Wolcott’s sister Caroline “Carrie” Balestier, in January 1892. The couple bought land from one of her other brothers, Beatty Balestier, in Vermont where they built their dream home, called “The Naulahka.” Naulakha means “jewel beyond price” in Hindi, according to the home’s website . The name is also shared with a book Kipling worked on with Wolcott Balestier.

Becoming a father inspired Kipling to write for children

He had started The Jungle Book around the time he and his wife were expecting their first child together. Daughter Josephine was born in 1892. According to BBC News, he gave her a special copy of The Jungle Book to his daughter, in which he wrote: "This book belongs to Josephine Kipling for whom it was written by her father, May 1894." The Kipling family soon grew to include daughter Elsie, born in 1895, and later son John in 1897. Sadly, Josephine only lived to be 6 years old. Both she and her father came down with pneumonia in 1899, and she ended up succumbing to the illness. Her death left Kipling heartbroken, and he never fully recovered from this tremendous loss.

Kipling never even visited the jungle mentioned in 'The Jungle Book'

Despite spending years in India, he chose to set his stories in the Seonee jungle (now known as Seoni), an area he’d never visited. Kipling instead drew from the experiences of others. According to Angus Wilson’s The Strange Ride of Rudyard Kipling: His Life and Works , Kipling saw photographs of this jungle taken by his friends, Aleck and Edmonia “Ted” Hill, and listened to their experiences there. He also likely found inspiration from the works of Robert Armitage Sterndale, including Mammalia of India , according to Martin Seymour-Smith’s Rudyard Kipling: A Biography . Others point to Sterndale’s 1877 book Seonee: Or, Camp Life on the Satpura Range , as an important influence on Kipling’s tales.

Another significant source was likely to be Kipling’s father

The elder Kipling was an illustrator, museum curator and art teacher. He produced Beast and Man in India: A Popular Sketch of Indian Animals in Their Relations with the People , which was published in 1891. John Lockwood Kipling also provided the images for some of his son’s works, including The Jungle Book and the 1901 novel Kim .

Another classic children’s tale, 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi,' also comes from 'The Jungle Book'

While most remember the Mowgli stories, they, in fact, only make up part of The Jungle Book . And like the Kipling’s tales about Mowgli, “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” explores the relationship between the human world and the animal world. In this case, a mongoose seeks to protect a family of humans from a pair of deadly cobras. This battle of mongoose versus cobras has enjoyed some success outside of The Jungle Book , having been published as a stand-alone picture book several times over the years. “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” was also turned into a 1975 animated short with Hollywood heavyweight Orson Welles voicing one of the cold-hearted cobras.

'The Jungle Book' has inspired countless adaptations

The first live-action film debuted in 1942, but the best-known movie version up until now was the 1967 animated Disney tale. Disney took a lot of license with the original story and transformed it into a feel-good family musical. One of its songs, “The Bare Necessities,” was even nominated for an Academy Award. An interesting mix of actors lent their voices to the project. Sebastian Cabot, best known for the TV show Family Affair , played Bagheera, and bandleader Louis Prima played King Louie of the apes. Phil Harris, who was Baloo, went on to voice another animated bear for Disney, playing Little John in 1973’s Robin Hood .

The voice of Mowgli, however, came from a rookie performer. Bruce Reitherman, the son of the film’s director Wolfgang Reitherman, played the endearing “man cub” in the film. He told the Express newspaper that “The voice of Mowgli required something special, in the sense that he had to be absolutely ordinary. It had to feel like a really average kid.”

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Rudyard Kipling Biography

Birthday: December 30 , 1865 ( Capricorn )

Born In: Mumbai, India

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short story writer and a novelist, chiefly remembered for his works for children and support for British imperialism. Born in British India in the middle of the nineteenth century, he was sent to England at the age of six for his education. Later he returned to India to begin his career as a journalist, but soon gave it up to return to his home country, where he concentrated full time on writing. After his marriage he lived for some years in Vermont, USA, before returning for good to England. He was a prolific writer whose children’s books are revered as classics of children’s literature. It is believed that at one point he was offered poet laureateship and on several occasions considered for knighthood, but he refused them. However, he accepted the Nobel Prize in Literature, which made him the first English writer to receive the honor.

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Also Known As: Joseph Rudyard Kipling

Died At Age: 70

Spouse/Ex-: Caroline Starr Balestier ​(m. 1892), Caroline Starr Balestier ​ (m. 1892)

father: John Lockwood Kipling

mother: Alice Kipling (née MacDonald)

siblings: Alice Kipling

children: Elsie Kipling, John Kipling, Josephine Kipling

Born Country: England

Nobel Laureates In Literature Poets

Died on: January 18 , 1936

place of death: London, England

education: United Services College

awards: 1907 - Nobel Prize in Literature

You wanted to know

When did rudyard kipling write "the jungle book".

Rudyard Kipling wrote "The Jungle Book" in 1894.

What inspired Rudyard Kipling to write "The Man Who Would Be King?"

Rudyard Kipling was inspired to write "The Man Who Would Be King" by his experiences in British India.

What is the significance of the poem "If—?"

The poem "If—" by Rudyard Kipling is known for its timeless wisdom and advice on how to navigate life's challenges with resilience and integrity.

What impact did Rudyard Kipling's travels have on his writing?

Rudyard Kipling's travels to various countries, including India and the United States, greatly influenced his writing by providing him with diverse cultural experiences and perspectives.

How did Rudyard Kipling's views on imperialism influence his work?

Rudyard Kipling's views on imperialism, which were complex and often criticized, are reflected in his works such as "The White Man's Burden" and "Kim."

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Rudyard Kipling had a pet mongoose named Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, which inspired one of his famous short stories.

Kipling was a proficient amateur artist and often illustrated his own works.

He was the first English-language writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1907.

Kipling was known for his love of the outdoors and spent much of his time exploring nature and wildlife.

He had a fascination with languages and was fluent in several, including English, Hindi, and French.

See the events in life of Rudyard Kipling in Chronological Order

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10 of the Best Stories by Rudyard Kipling

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was a prolific novelist, short-story writer, and poet, who is perhaps best-known for classic children’s books like The Jungle Book and for poems like ‘ If— ’. But Kipling’s short stories for adults often get overlooked – a fact which is perhaps hardly surprising given how much enduring and endurable writing Kipling produced.

Below, we select and introduce ten of the very best Rudyard Kipling short stories. These include horror stories, tales about werewolves, science fiction, and even a new take on the ghost story format. All will be explained below …

1. ‘ The Phantom ’Rickshaw ’.

Kipling made his name as a writer when he was just nineteen years old, in the mid-1880s, with a handful of short stories which much more experienced writers would sell their souls to be able to produce.

This is a ghost story that also has some horror elements: it’s about a man, Jack Pansay, who is haunted by the image of a ghostly rickshaw in which his dead former sweetheart sits. He had spurned his golden-haired beloved for a new squeeze, and shortly after this, his abandoned lover died of a broken heart. Seeing her come seemingly back from the dead will give Jack the shock of his life – and end up destroying all chances of happiness for him …

2. ‘ The Strange Ride of Morrowbie Jukes ’.

This was another early story, published in 1885 when Kipling was still a teenager. It tells of how the title character falls down while riding his horse one night, only to find himself in some weird realm where the living dead – people on the brink of death but brought back from that fate – are imprisoned in a kind of camp.

The story was a possible influence on the later H. G. Wells story, ‘ The Country of the Blind ’, in which the protagonist also accidentally finds himself among a strange community after falling down into a crater.

3. ‘ The Man Who Would Be King ’.

This is one of Rudyard Kipling’s best-known short stories. Published in 1888, it’s the story of two men who head off to Afghanistan with the intention of being proclaimed kings. Although they succeed, even convincing the locals that they should be worshipped as gods, they are shown to be mere mortals when one of them is bitten by his wife-to-be. The people quickly turn on the pair of kings …

This story is often interpreted as a tale about the British Raj in India: as Orwell would also later show in his brilliant essay (which is perhaps more fiction than fact), ‘ Shooting an Elephant ’, the English set themselves up for failure when trying to persuade the Indian natives that they were like gods, because their feet of clay would be revealed soon enough.

4. ‘ The Mark of the Beast ’.

By 1890, when this story was published, Kipling was already making waves in the literary world. But this story made waves for the wrong reasons, according to some editors. Andrew Lang called it ‘poisonous stuff which has left an extremely disagreeable impression on my mind’, while another editor, William Sharp, recommended to a correspondent that he should ‘instantly burn this detestable piece of work’.

Why did they recoil at the story so much? It’s a tale about lycanthropy, i.e., werewolves: it tells of a man named Fleete who desecrates an Indian temple and is bitten by a priest for his crime. Soon after, Fleete begins to exhibit some very strange behaviour …

5. ‘ Wireless ’.

Along with ‘Mrs Bathurst’ (see below), this story, from 1902, is among Kipling’s most baffling and impenetrable – and yet even though it may not readily give up all of its secrets to us, there is something gripping about the narrative Kipling creates using the new technology of wireless telegraphy.

The story concerns a chemist’s assistant who, like the Romantic poet, John Keats, is suffering from consumption. When he is put under a trance while some telegraphic experiments are ongoing, he produces some snippets from Keats’s poetry – even though he claims never to have read Keats. This is a strange and mesmerising story.

6. ‘ Mrs Bathurst ’.

A group of men who work for the railways in South Africa sit about telling stories to each other. One of their number, Pyecroft, begins telling the others about a man, Vickery, who deserted the service in mysterious circumstances. The ensuing tale – which is told in a clipped, elliptical, and remarkably authentic style – concerns Vickery’s mysterious relationship with Mrs Bathurst, a young widow who ran a boarding-house near Auckland in New Zealand where the two men had stayed in the past.

The precise nature of Vickery’s ‘relationship’ with Mrs Bathurst is never articulated by the men, but something happened which piqued their curiosity. It involves a then-new invention: the cinema. Shortly before he deserted his post, Vickery went to see a showing of the motion pictures with Pyecroft, at the local travelling circus show, and they saw the image of Mrs Bathurst on the screen, large as life, in some footage of a mail van.

Vickery became obsessed with this film and ended up following the travelling circus around the country, deserting his service, in his determination to see the footage of the woman he knows in real life … again … and again.

In our discussion of Kipling’s story , we have argued that this tale (from 1904) represents Kipling’s attempt to write a new kind of ‘ghost story’, in which no actual ghost is present. The new invention of moving pictures made that possible.

7. ‘ “They” ’.

Written in 1904, this is sometimes called Kipling’s greatest ghost story. A man driving around the Sussex countryside (where Kipling himself lived by this time) gets lost and takes refuge in a beautiful country house owned by a blind woman. The woman looks after a number of small children, none of whom will approach the man. Who are these children?

We won’t say any more, except to say that this story is thought to have been inspired by the tragic death of Kipling’s own daughter several years earlier.

8. ‘ Mary Postgate ’.

The First World War gave Kipling’s short stories a new angle. Published in 1915, this story is about a servant, Mary Postgate, who falls in love with Wynn, the son of the family for whom she works. When Wynn dies while engaging in flight training for the war, Mary is heartbroken, though she gives little away to those around her.

But when a man, who appears to be a German airman, crashes into the garden, Mary spies her chance to exact a terrible revenge for her beloved’s death …

This story can be read as a patriotic anti-German piece or, given its ambiguities, as a critique of blind patriotism. There remains a question mark over whether Mary has successfully identified the airman as German, or whether he is actually on the same side as her; Kipling cleverly sows doubt into the discerning reader’s mind.

9. ‘ A Madonna of the Trenches ’.

This is another story inspired by the First World War, although it wasn’t written and published until after the war was over, in 1924.

The story concerns a young ex-soldier named Clem Strangwick, a young ex-soldier who describes the horrors of the war, including a ghostly encounter with the spectre of his aunt, who was in love with the man, Godsoe, who acted like a father to Clem. The appearance of the ghost, and Godsoe’s subsequent death as a result of it, have haunted Clem ever since.

10. ‘ With the Night Mail: A Story of 2000 AD ’.

In two short stories, ‘With the Night Mail’ and ‘As Easy as A.B.C.: A Tale of 2150 AD’, published in 1905 and 1915 respectively, Rudyard Kipling pioneered the short story set in the future, in which action rather than simple exposition is the key focus. So this story, the earlier of the two, seems like a good note on which to end this pick of Kipling’s best stories.

Set in the year 2000, the story features transatlantic aircraft and radio communication, with the narrator on board a mail plane travelling from London to Canada. The journey is exhilaratingly good fun to read, with Kipling’s invention and eye for detail a masterclass in what we now call ‘speculative fiction’.

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Rudyard Kipling

A short biography of rudyard kipling, rudyard kipling’s writing style, major themes, imperialism, masculinity and manhood, war and soldiers’ problems.

He criticized the Government for not providing facilities to those who sacrifice their lives for the country. These young people who were dying for the English Empire were not well-treated and Rudyard Kipling wrote about it in Tommy, Danny Deever, Boots and Gentlemen Rankers.

Works Of Rudyard Kipling

Biography of Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling was born on December 30, 1865, in Bombay, British India. Shortly before Rudyard's birth, his parents, John Lockwood Kipling and Alice Macdonald, left the United Kingdom due to John's appointment as a professor at Bombay's Jeejeebjoy School of Art. Rudyard was born on the university's campus, and his parents named him after Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire (where John and Alice first met). Kipling's parents referred to themselves as "Anglo-Indians," and Rudyard's early years were marked by a dual influence of his country of origin and his country of residence. At the age of five, Rudyard and his younger sister, Trix, were sent to the United Kingdom to begin their formal education while their parents remained in India.

After spending his youth abroad, Rudyard returned to India at sixteen, where he began working for various local newspapers. Colleagues often commented on his passion for writing and his work ethic. After beginning his literary career in British India, Rudyard decided to relocate to London to delve further into the British literary scene. While in London, he published various short stories and a novel, entitled The Light That Failed. His breakthrough came with the publication of The Jungle Book in 1894, a collection of tales set in the Indian jungle. These stories, filled with adventure and moral lessons, quickly became classics in children's literature. In 1901, Kipling wrote Kim, a novel set in colonial India. Six years later, in 1907, Kipling was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, solidifying his place as one of the most influential writers of his time.

In his later life, Kipling became deeply involved in various political and social issues. He used his platform to advocate for British patriotism during World War I, which earned him both praise and criticism. The latter part of Kipling's life was also marked by personal loss, including the death of his son John. Kipling continued to write until the early 1930s, though with less recognized success. He passed away in London, shortly after his 70th birthday. His works continue to be studied, celebrated, and debated, exploring themes of colonialism, identity, and the human spirit.

Study Guides on Works by Rudyard Kipling

The gardener rudyard kipling.

Originally published in 1925, "The Gardener" is a story written by British-Indian author Rudyard Kipling and published in France. The story follows the life of main character Helen Turrell, who becomes pregnant out of wedlock in India, which, at...

• Study Guide

The Jungle Book Rudyard Kipling

Published in 1894, Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book is a collection of short stories and poems. It is one of the best-known and beloved works of children’s literature; however, Kipling’s complex views on colonialism and race justifiably factor...

• Lesson Plan

Kim Rudyard Kipling

Kim by Rudyard Kipling was first published serially in McClure's Magazine and Cassell's Magazine. It was later published as a book by Macmillan and Co. Ltd. in October 1901. The story takes place in the late 19th century, after the Second Afghan...

The Man Who Would Be King Rudyard Kipling

Kipling is considered a British author; however, he was born in Bombay, India in 1865. He was educated in England and then returned to India as a young man to live and work. An extremely prolific writer, Kipling produced stories and poetry about...

Rudyard Kipling: Poems Rudyard Kipling

Although Kipling is perhaps most famous for his short stories like "The Jungle Book," he was just as famed for his verse as his prose. His work, which is staggering in number, consists of such major poems as "If", "The White Man's Burden", "The...

Rudyard Kipling Biography

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, on December 30, 1865. His father, John Lockwood Kipling of Yorkshire, England, was a scholar and an artist. The elder Kipling went to India as a professor of architectural sculpture in the Bombay School of Fine Arts and later became curator of the Lahore Museum, which Kipling was to describe meticulously in Kim . He also served as the Bombay correspondent of The Pioneer of Allahabad. In 1891, he published Beast and Man in India with the help of A. P. Watt, his son’s literary agent. The book contains excerpts from Rudyard Kipling’s newspaper reports to the Civil and Military Gazette . The book provided inspiration for Kipling’s Jungle Book stories and several others: “The Mark of the Beast,” “The Finances of the Gods,” and “Moti Guj, Mutineer” are some examples.

Kipling’s mother, Alice Macdonald, was one of five Macdonald sisters, three of whom married into prominent families. Georgina Macdonald married the distinguished Pre-Raphaelite painter Sir Edward Burne-Jones; Agnes Macdonald married another painter, Sir Edward Poynter, who was influential in helping John Kipling obtain a position in India; and a third sister married Alfred Baldwin, the railroad owner, whose son Stanley Baldwin became prime minister of England. Kipling was therefore connected with creative and intellectually stimulating families through his mother, while from his father he inherited a strong Wesleyan tradition.

Rudyard and his sister, Trix, spent the first six years of their lives in India. Surrounded by Indian servants who told them Indian folktales, Kipling absorbed the Indian vocabulary and unconsciously cultivated the habit of thinking in that vocabulary, as illustrated in his short story “Tod’s Amendment.” Kipling recalls these early years in his posthumously published autobiography, Something of Myself , noting how he and his sister had to be reminded constantly to speak English to their parents and that he spoke English “haltingly translated out of the vernacular idiom that one thought and dreamed in.” This contributed to the great facility with which he uses Indian words as part of his writing style. Edmund Wilson, in his essay “The Kipling That Nobody Read,” writes that Kipling even looked like an Indian as a young boy.

Like other Anglo-Indian children who were sent home to England for their education, Kipling and his sister were shipped to London to live with a relative of their father in Southsea. The pain and agony of those six years under the supervision of this sadistic woman in what Kipling calls “the house of desolation” is unflinchingly re-created in the early part of The Light That Failed and in the short story “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep.” According to Wilson, the traumatic experiences of those six years filled Kipling with hatred for the rest of his life.

Kipling studied at the United Services College, a public school for children from families with a military background or with the government civil service. Kipling served as editor of the school newspaper, the United Services College Chronicle , to which he contributed several youthful parodies of poets Robert Browning and Algernon Charles Swinburne. One poem, “Ave Imperatrix,” however, with its note of patriotism and references to England’s destiny to civilize the world, foreshadowed Kipling’s later imperial themes. Although Kipling makes fun of flag-waving in “The Flag of Their Country” (in Stalky and Co ., 1899), he did imbibe some of his imperial tendencies at the school, as there was an almost universal desire among the boys to join either the army or the civil service for the glory of the Empire.

In 1882, when Kipling was sixteen, he returned to India, and his “English years fell away” and never “came back in full strength.” Through his father’s connections, Kipling had no difficulty in becoming assistant editor on the Civil and Military Gazette of Lahore at the age of eighteen....

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Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English author, poet, and journalist, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, Kipling spent his early childhood in India before being sent to England for his education at the age of five.

Kipling returned to India in 1882 and worked as a journalist for local newspapers. During this time, he began writing short stories and poems, which were published in various magazines. His early works, such as "Departmental Ditties" (1886) and "Plain Tales from the Hills" (1888), gained him popularity in England.

In 1889, Kipling left India and traveled extensively, eventually settling in Vermont, USA, where he married Caroline Balestier. During the 1890s, he produced some of his most famous works, including "The Jungle Book" (1894), "The Second Jungle Book" (1895), "Captains Courageous" (1897), and "Kim" (1901). These works showcased Kipling's storytelling prowess and his deep understanding of the culture and people of India.

Kipling was a prolific writer, and his works spanned various genres, including poetry, short stories, novels, and children's literature. He was known for his vivid descriptions, memorable characters, and themes of adventure, imperialism, and the nature of British colonial rule.

In 1907, Kipling became the first English language writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, in recognition of his vast and versatile literary output. Despite his success, Kipling faced personal tragedies, including the death of his daughter in 1899 and his son in World War I.

Kipling's later years were marked by a decline in popularity due to his increasingly conservative political views and support for British imperialism. However, his literary legacy endures, and his works continue to be widely read and admired for their masterful storytelling, rich language, and insight into the human condition. Some of his most famous poems include "Gunga Din," "If—," and "The White Man's Burden," while his novels and short stories, such as "The Man Who Would Be King" and "The Jungle Book," remain classics of English literature.

My Own True Ghost Story by Rudyard Kipling

The mark of the beast by rudyard kipling, the phantom ‘rickshaw by rudyard kipling.

May 28, 2024 by Every Writer Filed Under: Featured , Rudyard Kipling

The Phantom ‘Rickshaw THE PHANTOM ‘RICKSHAW May no ill dreams disturb my rest, Nor Powers of Darkness me molest. —Evening Hymn. One of the few advantages that India has over England is a great Knowability. After five years’ service a man is directly or indirectly acquainted with the two or three hundred Civilians in his […]

May 28, 2024 by Every Writer Filed Under: Featured , Horror Stories , Rudyard Kipling

“My Own True Ghost Story” is a short story by Rudyard Kipling that blends elements of humor, suspense, and the supernatural. The story is narrated

October 23, 2023 by Every Writer Filed Under: Classic Horror , Classic Short Story , Horror Stories , Rudyard Kipling

“The Mark of the Beast” helped popularize and cement the werewolf as a staple figure in horror fiction. But many examples of werewolf literature existed for centuries prior to when Kipling published his story in 1890.