Jozef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski, who changed his name to Joseph Conrad after becoming a British citizen in 1886, was born on December 3rd, 1857 in Berdychiv, Ukraine. Conrad’s parents were exiled to Russia for their participation in activities advocating for Polish freedom. After the deaths of both of his parents from tuberculosis, his mother’s in 1864 and his father’s in 1868, Conrad was fostered by his uncle. While living with his uncle, Conrad received private tutoring and learned to speak French. At the age of 17, he joined the French merchant service. It is believed that during his time in the French merchant service, Conrad smuggled guns to Spanish revolutionaries. This lifestyle led Conrad into gambling and when he sustained a large
