What part of confidante has that poor teapot played ever since the kindly plant was introduced among us! Why myriads of women have cried over it, to be sure! [...] Nature meant very kindly by women when she made the tea plant; and with a little thought, what series of pictures and groups of the fancy may conjure up and assemble round the teapot and cup.

Biography
Thackeray an only child was born in Calcutta India where his father Richmond Thackeray (1 September 1781 – 13 September 1815) was secretary to the board of revenue in the British East India Company. "
Tragedy struck in his personal life as his wife succumbed to depression after the birth of their third child in 1840. Thackeray is also British comedian Al Murray's great-great-great-grandfather.

: /ˈθækəri/ (18 July 1811 – 24 December 1863) was an English novelist of the 19th century. He was famous for his satirical works particularly Vanity Fair a panoramic portrait of English society.