Thomas HARDY was an English novelist and poet who lived from 1840 to 1928. He is best known for his novels such as Far from the Madding Crowd, The Return of the Native, and Tess of the d'Urbervilles. He also wrote many poems, including 'The Darkling Thrush' and 'The Convergence of the Twain'. His works often explored themes of tragedy and loss, and he was a major influence on the development of the modern novel.