Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810 – 1889) was an English poet and novelist, best known for Proverbial Philosophy, a collection of moral and philosophical verses. The book was immensely popular in Victorian Britain and North America, selling hundreds of thousands of copies and earning him royal favor.
Educated at Christ Church, Oxford, Tupper initially studied law but never practiced. Instead, he pursued literature, publishing Proverbial Philosophy in 1838. The book's mix of free verse reflections on life, morality, and religion resonated with Victorian audiences, making him a literary sensation. Despite this early success, changing literary tastes led to his decline, and by the late 19th century, he became a subject of satire.
Though largely forgotten today, Tupper’s rhythmic writing influenced poets like Walt Whitman. His legacy remains a reflection of the shifting literary trends of the 19th century, from moralistic verse to more modern forms of poetry.