Eric Arthur Blair, more commonly known as George Orwell, was an English essayist, journalist, critic, and novelist. He was one of the most prominent and influential writers of the 20th century. His works focused on social injustice, democratic socialism, and his strong opposition to totalitarianism. His most notable novel is 1984 which is set in a dystopian society. Orwell's most popular novella is Animal Farm, which is an allegorical novel of the events leading up to the Russian Revolution of 1917. His nonfiction works include Down and Out in Paris and London, The Road to Wigan Pier and Homage to Catalonia.