Mary Ann Evans ( 22 November 1819 -- 22 December 1880 ; alternatively `` Mary Anne '' or `` Marian '' ) , known by her pen name George Eliot , was an English novelist , journalist , translator and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era .
Mary Ann ( Marian ) Evans ( 22 November 1819 -- 22 December 1880 ) , better known by her pen name George Eliot , was an English novelist . She was one of the leading writers of the Victorian era .