Edgar Wallace

Edgar Wallace[1†]

Edgar Wallace (1875-1932), became a celebrated British writer despite leaving school at 12. His diverse works, from detective stories like "The Four Just Men" to adventure tales like "Sanders of the River," made him internationally renowned. Wallace authored over 170 novels, 18 plays, and nearly 1,000 short stories, with adaptations of his works spawning more than 160 films. In addition to his work on King Kong, he is remembered as a writer of “the colonial imagination”, for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, and for The Green Archer serial. His legacy extends beyond literature, influencing popular culture and shaping perceptions of colonial narratives. Wallace's prolific career sold over 50 million copies worldwide[1†][2†][3†].

Early Years and Education

Edgar Wallace was born as Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace on April 1, 1875, in Greenwich, Kent, England[1†]. He was the illegitimate son of an actress and was adopted as an infant by a Billingsgate fish porter named George Freeman[1†][2†]. His early life was marked by poverty, and he left school at the age of 12[1†][2†].

Despite his limited formal education, Wallace held a variety of odd jobs until he joined the army at age 21[1†][2†]. He served in the Royal West Kent Regiment in England and later as part of the Medical Staff Corps stationed in South Africa[1†][4†]. His time in the army was significant as it exposed him to different cultures and experiences, which would later influence his writing[1†][2†].

During the Second Boer War, Wallace served as a war correspondent for Reuters and the Daily Mail[1†]. This experience not only honed his writing skills but also provided him with a wealth of material for his future works[1†][2†].

Wallace’s early years and education were unconventional, but they played a crucial role in shaping his career as a writer. His experiences provided him with a unique perspective on life, which he brilliantly incorporated into his works[1†][2†].

Career Development and Achievements

Edgar Wallace’s career was as diverse as it was prolific. After serving in the South African War as a war correspondent for Reuters and the Daily Mail, he returned to London and began writing thrillers to raise income[2†][1†]. His first success was “The Four Just Men” (1905), which he sold outright for a small amount[2†][1†]. Wallace practically invented the modern “thriller”; his works in this genre have complex but clearly developed plots and are known for their exciting climaxes[2†][1†].

Drawing on his time as a reporter in the Congo, covering the Belgian atrocities, Wallace serialised short stories in magazines such as The Windsor Magazine and later published collections such as “Sanders of the River” (1911)[2†][1†]. He signed with Hodder and Stoughton in 1921 and became an internationally recognised author[2†][1†].

Wallace was such a prolific writer that one of his publishers claimed that a quarter of all books in England were written by him[2†][1†]. His literary output was prodigious, and his rate of production so great as to be the subject of humour[2†][1†]. He wrote over 170 novels, 18 stage plays, 957 short stories, and countless articles and review sketches[2†][1†]. More than 160 films have been made of Wallace’s work[2†][1†].

In addition to his work on King Kong, he is remembered as a writer of “the colonial imagination”, for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, and for The Green Archer serial[2†][1†]. He sold over 50 million copies of his combined works in various editions[2†][1†].

First Publication of His Main Works

Edgar Wallace’s literary career was both prolific and impactful. His first success came with “The Four Just Men” (1905), which he sold outright for a small amount[2†]. This work practically invented the modern “thriller” genre, with its complex but clearly developed plot and exciting climax[2†].

Here are some of his main works:

• “The Four Just Men” (1905): A novel about a group of vigilantes who punish wrongdoers that escape the law [2†][5†].
• “The Council of Justice” (1908): Sequel to "The Four Just Men," focusing on the ethical dilemmas faced by the vigilante group [2†][5†].
• “The Just Men of Cordova” (1917): Another installment in the series featuring the Just Men, set in Spain [2†][5†].
• “The Law of the Four Just Men / Again the Three Just Men” (1921): Continuation of the Just Men series, dealing with themes of justice and morality [2†][5†].
• “The Three Just Men” (1929): Further adventures of the Just Men, exploring their methods and motivations [2†][5†].
• “Sanders of the River” (1911): Introduces Commissioner Sanders, a British colonial administrator in West Africa [2†][5†].
• “The People of the River” (1912): Sequel to "Sanders of the River," continuing the adventures and challenges of Commissioner Sanders [2†][5†].
• “The River of Stars” (1913): Another sequel in the Sanders series, focusing on colonial life along the river [2†][5†].
• “Bosambo of the River” (1914): Expands on the characters and settings introduced in the Sanders series [2†][5†].
• “Sandi the King-Maker” (1922): Further exploits of Commissioner Sanders, involving local politics and power struggles [2†][5†].
• “Sanders / Mr. Commissioner Sanders” (1926): Continuation of the Sanders series, exploring themes of governance and justice [2†][5†].
• “Again Sanders” (1928): Another installment in the Commissioner Sanders series, set in Africa[2†][5†].
• “The Keepers of the King’s Peace” (1930): Introduces Colonel John Meredith, who tackles crime and maintains peace in Africa [2†][5†].
• “Bones” (1915): Introduces "Bones," a humorous character in colonial settings, known for his misadventures [2†][5†].
• “Bones in London” (1921): Continues the comedic escapades of "Bones" in a different setting[2†][5†].
• “Bones of the River” (1923): Another installment featuring the humorous exploits of "Bones"[2†][5†]
• “Room 13” (1924): A mystery novel set in a hotel, exploring themes of crime and suspense [2†][5†].
• “The Mind of Mr. J G Reeder / The Murder Book of J.G. Reeder” (1925): Introduces Mr. J.G. Reeder, a detective solving complex cases with psychological insight [2†][5†].
• “The Casefiles of Mr. J.G. Reeder” (1927): Further adventures of Mr. J.G. Reeder, tackling various criminal cases [2†][5†].
• “Terror Keep” (1927): A thriller involving intrigue and danger, set in a mysterious castle [2†][5†].
• “The Guv’nor / Mr. Reeder Returns” (1932): More adventures of Mr. J.G. Reeder, returning to solve new mysteries [2†][5†].
• “Mr J G Reeder Returns” (1932): Another collection of stories featuring Mr. J.G. Reeder's detective skills [2†][5†].
• “Red Aces” (1932): A thriller involving espionage and high-stakes intrigue [2†][5†].
• “The Fellowship of the Frog” (1925): A mystery novel featuring a criminal mastermind known as "The Frog" [2†][5†].
• “The Joker / The Colossus” (1926): A crime novel exploring the activities of a notorious criminal known as "The Joker" [2†][5†].
• “The Twister” (1928): A thriller involving conspiracies and plots in a fast-paced narrative [2†][5†].
• “White Face” (1930): A mystery novel with elements of suspense and investigation [2†][5†].
• “More Educated Evans” (1926): Introduces "Educated Evans," a character known for his cleverness and wit in solving problems [2†][5†].
• “Good Evans / The Educated Man” (1927): Further adventures of "Educated Evans," tackling new challenges [2†][5†].
• “Big Foot” (1927): A novel featuring Big Foot, a character known for his strength and exploits in dangerous situations [2†][5†].
• “The Lone House Mystery” (1929): A mystery novel involving a solitary house and its secrets [2†][5†].
• “The Ringer” (1925): Introduces "The Ringer," a master of disguise and intrigue in the criminal underworld [2†][5†].
• “Again the Ringer / The Ringer Returns” (1929): Further adventures of "The Ringer," continuing his enigmatic activities [2†][5†].
• “The Black Abbot” (1926): A thriller involving a mysterious criminal figure known as "The Black Abbot" [2†][6†].

Each of these works contributed to Wallace’s reputation as a master of the thriller genre, and they continue to be read and appreciated today[2†][1†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Edgar Wallace’s work has been analyzed and evaluated by many critics over the years. His writing style was characterized by a concentration on the extravagant, the exotic, and the freely fantastic, all interpreted in a style derived from the Gothic novel[7†]. He often challenged the system of justice of his era and pointed to errors in police practices[7†].

Howard Haycraft declared that Wallace’s “vast audience gave him an influence, in popularizing the genre, out of all proportion to the actual merit of his writing”[7†]. He made the thriller popular in book form and on stage and screen, throughout the English-speaking world[7†]. Only John Creasey, with his more than five hundred novels, wrote more than Wallace, and perhaps Agatha Christie was the only mystery and detective writer whose novels attracted more readers[7†].

The best of Wallace’s detective fiction recounts the cases of Mr. J. G. Reeder, a very British sleuth of valiant courage whose triumphs are won by both chance and deduction[7†]. Critics Stefan Benvenuti and Gianni Rizzoni observe that Wallace “concentrated on the extravagant, the exotic, and the freely fantastic, all interpreted in a style derived from the Gothic novel”[7†].

Joseph A. Kestner, in his book "The Edwardian Detective" (1901-1915), compares Wallace to his fellow Edwardians[7†]. This narrowly focused reading of British detective fiction provides a deeper understanding of Wallace’s place in the literary landscape of his time[7†].

Personal Life

Edgar Wallace was born Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace on April 1, 1875, in Greenwich, Kent, England[1†][2†]. He was the illegitimate son of an actress and was adopted as an infant by a Billingsgate fish porter named George Freeman[1†][2†][8†]. His parents were both actors, which might have influenced his later career as a writer[1†][8†].

In his personal life, Wallace married Ivy Maude Caldecott, a minister’s daughter, in April 1901, in Cape Town[1†][9†]. The couple had three children before they divorced in 1919[1†][9†]. Later, he married Ethel Violet King[1†].

Wallace’s life was marked by a series of ups and downs, from his humble beginnings to his rise to fame as a prolific writer. Despite his professional success, his personal life was filled with challenges, including his struggle with debt and his two marriages[1†][2†][9†].

Wallace passed away on February 10, 1932, in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., at the age of 56[1†][2†]. His death was sudden and was due to undiagnosed diabetes[1†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Edgar Wallace’s legacy is as prolific as his writing. He was a writer who, despite his humble beginnings, managed to captivate audiences with his thrilling narratives[1†][10†]. His work has inspired countless authors and filmmakers, and his legacy continues to live on[1†][11†].

Wallace was such a prolific writer that one of his publishers claimed that a quarter of all books in England were written by him[1†]. As well as journalism, Wallace wrote screenplays, poetry, historical non-fiction, 18 stage plays, 957 short stories, and over 170 novels, 12 of which were published in 1929 alone[1†]. More than 160 films have been made of Wallace’s work[1†]. In addition to his work on King Kong, he is remembered as a writer of “the colonial imagination”, for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, and for The Green Archer serial[1†].

Despite his immense output, Wallace remains somewhat of a ghost over the mystery genre, his name often invoked, but his books seldom read[1†][10†]. Yet, his influence is undeniable. His work has left an indelible mark on the mystery and detective fiction genres[1†][11†].

Wallace’s life and work were characterized by a relentless drive and an ability to captivate audiences with his thrilling narratives. His legacy continues to influence the thriller genre to this day[1†][10†][11†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace[1†][2†]
• Born: April 1, 1875, Greenwich, London, England[1†][2†]
• Died: February 10, 1932, Beverly Hills, California, U.S[1†][2†]
• Nationality: British[1†]
• Occupation: Crime writer, war correspondent, journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and playwright[1†]
• Notable Works: “The Four Just Men” (1905), “Sanders of the River” (1911), “The Crimson Circle” (1922), “The Flying Squad” (1928), “The Terror” (1930), and the creation of King Kong[1†][2†]
• Notable Achievements: Wallace was a prolific writer, with his publishers claiming that a quarter of all books in England were written by him[1†]. He wrote over 175 novels, 40 short story collections, 24 plays, and numerous articles in journals and newspapers in less than 3 decades of writing[1†][5†].

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - Edgar Wallace [website] - link
2. Britannica - Edgar Wallace: British writer [website] - link
3. American Literature - Edgar Wallace [website] - link
4. Google Books - The Gunner - Edgar Wallace [website] - link
5. Book Series In Order - Edgar Wallace [website] - link
6. Wikipedia (English) - The Black Abbot (novel) [website] - link
7. eNotes - Edgar Wallace Analysis [website] - link
8. The Guardian - Stranger Than Fiction: The Life of Edgar Wallace, the Man Who Created King Kong by Neil Clark – review [website] - link
9. eNotes - Edgar Wallace Biography [website] - link
10. Mystery Scene Magazine - Edgar Wallace: the Man Who Wrote Too Much? [website] - link
11. RT Book Reviews - Discover the 8 Best Edgar Wallace Books to Read Now [website] - link