Final answer:
Joseph Conrad was born in 1865 and died in 1936. His work, particularly 'Heart of Darkness', influenced the founding of the Congo Reform Association and led to Belgium assuming control over the Congo.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joseph Conrad was a significant figure in English literature, known for his impactful novella Heart of Darkness, which shed light on the atrocities in the Congo Free State. The correct answer to when Joseph Conrad was born and when he died is a) Born in 1865, died in 1936. His work not only influenced literature but also played a role in changing public opinion and prompting social action. The Congo Reform Association (CRA) was established in response to the public outcry that Conrad's book and other reports generated, leading to the eventual transfer of control over the Congo from King Leopold II to the Belgian government, creating the Belgian Congo.