Best novelist in PMG's 1885 '10 Greatest Living Englishmen' poll throws up more surprises, for a paper of the London clubland. Wilkie Collins on top (346), only just ahead of William Black, & Walter Besant. Hardy a distant 9th (a mere 20 votes), Meredith (9). 5 in desperation for the dead Trollope.
Jan 31, 2026 08:45I notice you don't mention the Oliphant in the room.
I love that Braddon is hanging tough alongside the “Englishmen” just as she did in real life. 😆
At least Trollope was recently deceased. You'd think that Thackeray voter would have wondered why no new WMT novels had come out since 1863.
😊I guess we have to assume that not everyone read the rubric - I mean if we are thinking about oddball answers to the 'greatest living Englishman' novelist, how about Mark Twain or Victor Hugo?
