The Complete Works of Henry Rider Haggard (ePub)

Sir Henry Rider Haggard (1856-1925) was an English writer who acquired fame for his adventure novels set in exotic locations. Born on June 22, 1856, in Norfolk, England, Haggard was the son of a barrister and was educated at Ipswich Grammar School and Garsington Rectory in Oxfordshire. He ventured to South Africa as a young man, where he absorbed the culture, history, and landscape that would later imbue his narratives. His experiences in South Africa seeded his imaginative writings, creating a rich tapestry of adventure that fascinated Victorian readers. In 1885, Haggard published 'King Solomon's Mines', a novel that introduced the character Allan Quatermain, a hunter and explorer, and cemented Haggard's popularity. He followed this success with 'She: A History of Adventure' (1886), which further established his literary reputation. Haggard's literary style integrated detailed observations of the colonial frontiers with myth and romance, influencing the genre of the 'lost world'. His protagonists often embodied the values of the British Empire, combining bravery and resourcefulness with a strong moral compass. He was prolific, penning numerous novels, including 'Allan Quatermain' (1887), 'Cleopatra' (1889), and 'The Ghost Kings' (1908), among others. Haggard's immortalization in 'The Complete Works of Henry Rider Haggard' ensures that his contribution to English literature and the adventure genre endures. Remembered also for his agricultural reforms and knighted in 1912, Haggard's legacy extends beyond literature into the realms of culture and history.