George Meredith was an English novelist and poet during the Victorian era. Meredith was a prolific writer and he stood out as one of the great authors of comedy of his time. With classics such as The Egoist, Diana of the Crossways, and The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, Meredith remains a popular author today.

Diana of the Crossways, published in 1885, is a novel that centers around an intelligent and energetic woman who is trapped in a terrible marriage. The book is based off Meredith's friendship with the author Caroline Norton.