Joseph Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist, born in Bombay, British India. He is best known for his stories and poems set in India during British imperial rule and his classic children's tales. Kipling's most famous works include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and poems such as "If—" (1910), "Gunga Din," and "Mandalay". He had close ties to India throughout his life, which heavily influenced his work.
Kipling achieved significant literary acclaim during his lifetime, receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907—the first English-language author to be so honored. Despite his popularity, Kipling's works have faced scrutiny for their portrayal of British imperialism. In October 2024, efforts were underway to preserve his historic Vermont home, where he wrote The Jungle Book and Captains Courageous, from the effects of increasing precipitation. In February 2026, two original Jungle Book illustrations, missing for over a century, were discovered in a London family home.