George Orwell's final chapter

Robert Colls traces George Orwell's final years, as the novelist found critical acclaim as the Second World War ended

Published: May 1, 2026 at 9:12 AM

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Did you know that George Orwell only found national acclaim as an author in the final years of his life, as his health was worsening? Or that, with the prospect of death looming increasingly large, he sought refuge on a remote Scottish island?

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Historian Robert Colls tells James Osborne about these last stages of Orwell's life, and the toll that writing his two most celebrated works – Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four – took on the author.

Authors

James OsborneSenior content producer

James Osborne is a senior content producer at HistoryExtra

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