Rudyard Kipling (Dec. 30, 1865 - 1936), British author and Nobel Laureate…

For many years Kipling has been associated with the dark, patronising side of British colonialism - White man’s burden and all that - but recent re-readings of his work paint a more complex picture of him as an Anglo-Indian ”interpreter of how empire was experienced”, as one critic puts it…

And then there is The Jungle Book…

“The python dropped his head lightly for a moment on Mowgli’s shoulders. “A brave heart and a courteous tongue,” said he. “They shall carry thee far through the jungle, manling. But now go hence quickly with thy friends. Go and sleep, for the moon sets and what follows it is not well that thou shouldst see.” ― Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Books

Photo: Bourne & Shepherd, 1892 (The Beinecke)

(Source: i12bent)