Joseph Conrad, born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski in 1857 in present-day Ukraine, grew up in a politically active Polish family. His father, a writer and patriot, was imprisoned for anti-Russian activism, and Conrad's early years were marked by displacement and loss. Orphaned at age eleven, he was raised by his uncle, who encouraged his passion for the sea.Conrad began his maritime career in the French merchant navy before joining the British merchant fleet, where he spent nearly 20 years at sea. His experiences as a sailor provided the foundation for much of his writing, including Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim. Although he did not learn English until his twenties, Conrad became a master of the language, creating works that explore themes of isolation, imperialism, and human nature.Conrad's fiction often reflects his personal struggles with identity, exile, and the human psyche. His unique perspective as a Polish expatriate writing in English contributed to his status as one of the most influential modernist writers of the 20th century. His works continue to be studied for their complex narrative techniques and moral ambiguity.

Preface; Acknowledgements; Chronology; Abbreviations; Introduction; Notes on Life and Letters: Author's note; Part 1. Letters; Part 2. Life; The texts; Apparatus; Appendices; Notes.