Final answer:
Thomas Hardy wrote the 1891 novel 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles,' which is a classic of English literature recognized for its realistic portrayal of a tragic rural life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1891 novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles was written by the English author Thomas Hardy. Although initially receiving mixed reviews, the book eventually came to be considered a classic of English literature, with its portrayal of Tess as a tragic figure crushed by the weight of social conventions. It belongs to the period of literary realism and marked one of Hardy's most famous works, touching upon themes of societal norms, fate, and rural life.