Best known for his novella Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) was a Polish–British author.  Although not a native English speaker, Conrad came to be regarded as one of the greatest novelists to write in the English language. He revolutionized the English novel with books such as The Secret Agent, Nostromo, and Typhoon. Before publishing his first novel, Almayer's Folly, in 1895, Joseph Conrad spent almost 20 years working mostly at sea as a merchant sailor. 
Date of Birth:
December 3, 1857
 
Date of Death:
August 3, 1924
 
Place of Birth:
Berdiczew, Podolia, Russia
 
Place of Death:
Bishopsbourne, Kent, England 
 
Education:
Tutored in Switzerland. Self-taught in classical literature. Attended maritime school in Marseilles, France