Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936), born in Bombay, was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist. Kipling's works of fiction include 'The Jungle Book' (1894), 'Kim' (1901), and numerous short stories, including 'The Man Who Would Be King' (1888). His poems include 'Mandalay' (1890), 'Gunga Din' (1890), and 'If—' (1910). Kipling was one of the most popular writers in England, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His early years in India influenced much of his work, which is noted for its insights into the British Empire. He is seen as an innovator in the art of the short story, with his children's literature distinguishing him in its mixture of fantasy, folklore, and realism. His collection 'Verses 1889-1896' reflects the diversity of his early work, combining elements of his experiences in British colonial life. In 1907, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first English-language writer to receive the prize. Despite his prodigious output and his popularity during his lifetime, Kipling's reputation has since become complex, with modern critics divided on his imperialist perspectives and his conservative views, even as his literary achievements continue to be celebrated for their imagination and linguistic flair.