Well Elliot worked as an insurance executive, Melville worked as a glorified government clerk, then as a corporate executive, Chaucer was either a churchman or a government clerk (in his day you were one of those or a lawyer if you were literate). Elliot and Melville were reportedly not thrilled by their day jobs. Don't know about Chaucer.
You're just not gonna let me play the tortured artist role are you? ;-)