Man's real life is happy, chiefly because he is ever expecting that it soon will be so.
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe is widely credited with formulating the genre of the modern detective story during the 1840s. According to Edgar Allan Poe: A Biography, His intriguing tales of investigation featured the detective Monsiur C. Auguste Dupin most well known for arriving at a solution though an organized method of detection. Emile Gaboriaus established the detective story and like Poe, was a substantial influence on Dr. (later sir) Arthur Conan Doyle. Another contemporary of Poe, was Wilkie Collins. Collins achieved remarkable success with sensational fiction, most notably the woman in white and the Moonstone. These stories make full detail of Victorian Society and the ideals surrounding this style of living. Although little read today, Fergus Hume was one of the best-selling authors of detective fiction during the nineteenth century, and was the first to sell over one half million copies of one novel. Most notably the most famous contemporary of Poe was Charles Dickens. Inspired by the way Poe wove the characters and feelings into a beautiful web of a story, Dickens decided to take it upon himself in a similar fashion, creating masterpiece upon masterpiece each to the awe of the community. According to J. Pual Getty Museum, “Many of Edgar Allan Poe's contemporaries described him as he appears in this portrait: a darkly handsome and intelligent man who possessed an unorthodox personality.” During his lifetime Poe influenced a many of writers to become the father of detective fiction.
A loving heart is the truest wisdom.
- Charles Dickens
"Emile Gaboriau established the detective story, or roman policier in France, and like Poe, was an influence on Dr. (later Sir) Arthur Conan Doyle. His detectives, le père Tabaret, and Inspector Lecoq , were introduced in L'Affair Lerouge. Although their methods utilize deduction, some devices of melodrama are also included in Gaboriau's tales."
In his novels of the 1860s, Wilkie Collins achieved remarkable success with sensational fiction, most notably The Woman in White and The Moonstone. The Woman in White presents a mystery which makes full use of details of Victorian society and psychology. The opening scene possibly recalls Collins' first meeting with his mistress Caroline Graves.
Although little read today, Fergus Hume was one of the best-selling authors of detective fiction during the nineteenth century, and was the first to sell over one half million copies of one novel. His first novel, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, was initially turned down by the Australian publisher George Robertson, who felt that Australian authors would not sell well. The privately printed Australian first edition of 5000 copies is one of the most sought after mystery novels, with only two copies known to be in existence.
In his novels of the 1860s, Wilkie Collins achieved remarkable success with sensational fiction, most notably The Woman in White and The Moonstone. The Woman in White presents a mystery which makes full use of details of Victorian society and psychology. The opening scene possibly recalls Collins' first meeting with his mistress Caroline Graves.
Although little read today, Fergus Hume was one of the best-selling authors of detective fiction during the nineteenth century, and was the first to sell over one half million copies of one novel. His first novel, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, was initially turned down by the Australian publisher George Robertson, who felt that Australian authors would not sell well. The privately printed Australian first edition of 5000 copies is one of the most sought after mystery novels, with only two copies known to be in existence.