The Amateur Cracksman (ePub)

Ernest William Hornung, known professionally as E. W. Hornung, was an English author and poet best recognized for his creation of the gentleman thief A.J. Raffles, who first appeared in 'The Amateur Cracksman' (1899). Born on June 7, 1866, in Middlesbrough, England, Hornung spent his early years in England before traveling to Australia, which influenced much of his later writing. Hornung's literary career flourished during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, where he established himself as a notable writer within the crime fiction genre. 'The Amateur Cracksman' is a collection of stories that follows the criminal adventures of Raffles, a character that has been cited as a counterpoint to Hornung's brother-in-law Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed detective Sherlock Holmes. Hornung's portrayal of Raffles has been viewed as a commentary on British social structure and morality during the turn of the century, often challenging notions of gentlemanly conduct and the infallibility of the British upper class. Aside from the Raffles series, Hornung wrote numerous novels, short stories, and plays, extending his exploration of genres to include adventure, romance, and war narratives. He was also known for his patriotic verse during the First World War following the death of his son, Oscar. Hornung's impact on the crime and adventure genres, as well as his reflections on society in his works, render him a significant but sometimes overlooked figure in English literature. He passed away on March 22, 1921, leaving behind a legacy of literary contributions that continue to be discovered and appreciated by new generations of readers.