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The Moonstone.
Wilkie Collins.
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Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
ContentsPurchase the entire Coradella Collegiate Bookshelf on CD at
http://collegebookshelf.net
About the author
Wilkie Collins ( January 8,
1824 - September 23, 1889) was
an English novelist, credited with
writing the first mystery.
Wilkie (William) Collins was born in London. His father (also
called William) was a landscape painter, but it seems his father had
ambitions for his son outside the arts. Wilkie was first found a place in
the tea trade, but displayed no aptitude for commerce. He then stud-
ied law at Lincoln's Inn; he was admitted to the bar in 1851 but didn't
prosper there either. It was only when he started writing that he seemed
to find his vocation.
His first published work was written in memory of his father, who
died in 1847. Memoirs of the Life of William Collins, Esq., R.A. was
published in 1848. He started writing fiction shortly afterwards.
Antonina was published in 1850 and Basil in 1852.
In April 1852 Wilkie wrote a piece for Charles Dickens' weekly,
Household Words. This marked the start of a professional relationship
which was to last for ten years, and which left both men better writers
for their acquaintance.
Wilkie was immensely popular in his time, and wrote 25 novels,
over 50 short stories, 15 plays, and over 100 other, non-fiction, pieces
of work. His most successful works were The Woman in White, No
Name, Armadale, and The Moonstone. He was one of the first writers of
mystery fiction, and has been much imitated over the years. For ex-
ample, you might recognise the basic premise of the Moonstone — a
cursed jewel that was originally stolen from an idol's eye — in several
contemporary films and novels.
Wilkie Collins died in London in 1889 and was buried there in
the Kensal Green Cemetery.
Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
ContentsPurchase the entire Coradella Collegiate Bookshelf o