Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) was a Polish-born British novelist, short story writer, and poet of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He was born and raised in Poland, which had recently become a part of the Russian Empire and was deeply marked by its military and political experience. He was forced to flee his home country due to political unrest, eventually settling in England. Many of his works explore themes of imperialism and psychological and existential complexity. Conrads literary career began with a series of nautical stories, inspired by his work as a merchant seaman in his early years in England. These included stories such as The Lagoon, Typhoon, Youth, and the long novella Heart of Darkness, published in 1899. This work is arguably his most famous, and it explores themes of colonialism, racism, and the darkness and terror of existence. Conrad wrote mostly in English and was a master of psychological realism and subtle characterization. His novel Nostromo, which follows the fate of a South American silver mine and its inhabitants, and The Secret Agent, which examines political terrorism, are both often cited as major works of literature. He also wrote short stories such as The Duel, The Brute, and The Return, all of which explore conflicting ideas of responsibility, self-doubt, and morality. Throughout his life, Conrad suffered from physical and mental illness and he was heavily influenced by the political, intellectual, and literary currents of the times. His works are often seen as pessimistic and brooding, and his writing style distinct for its controlled yet powerful language and use of symbolism.