Wilkie Collins
1824 -1889
Wilkie Collins Biography
Wilkie Collins (8 January 1824 – 23 September 1889) was an English novelist, playwright, and author of short stories, best known for his pioneering works in the detective fiction genre. Born William Wilkie Collins in Marylebone, London, he was the son of renowned landscape painter William Collins and Harriet Geddes. His godfather, Sir David Wilkie, inspired his middle name.
In 1836, Collins moved with his family to Italy and France, where he became fluent in French and Italian. These experiences broadened his cultural perspective and influenced his later writings. Upon returning to England, he attended a private school, where he honed his storytelling abilities, entertaining classmates with imaginative tales.
After an unsuccessful apprenticeship as a tea merchant, Collins studied law at Lincoln's Inn. Although called to the bar in 1851, he chose literature over law. His first novel, Antonina, was published in 1850, but it was his meeting with Charles Dickens in 1851 that marked a turning point. The two became close friends, with Collins contributing to Dickens’s periodicals and collaborating on theatrical productions.
Collins achieved widespread fame with The Woman in White (1859), a sensation novel lauded for its suspenseful plot and innovative narrative style. He followed this success with works such as No Name (1862), Armadale (1866), and The Moonstone (1868), regarded as the first modern English detective novel. His exploration of crime, identity, and morality influenced generations of writers.
Collins suffered from gout and neuralgia, leading to a reliance on laudanum (opium), which affected his later works. Despite his illness, he remained prolific, producing numerous novels, plays, and short stories. Collins led an unconventional personal life, living with Caroline Graves while fathering three children with another woman, Martha Rudd. He never married, expressing criticisms of the institution in his works.
Wilkie Collins died on 23 September 1889 in London and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. He is celebrated as a pioneer of detective fiction and sensation novels, with works that continue to captivate readers.
Trivia About Wilkie Collins
- Collins was a close friend of Charles Dickens and often collaborated with him on literary projects.
- His novel The Moonstone is considered the first modern English detective novel.
- Collins relied heavily on laudanum to manage chronic pain, which influenced his writing style and themes.
- He maintained relationships with two women simultaneously and never married.
Famous Quotes by Wilkie Collins
- "The best men are not consistent in good—why should the worst men be consistent in evil?"
- "I am not against hasty marriages where a mutual flame is fanned by an adequate income."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who was Wilkie Collins?
Wilkie Collins was an English novelist and playwright, best known for pioneering detective fiction with novels like The Woman in White and The Moonstone.
What are some of his notable works?
Some of Collins's notable works include The Woman in White, The Moonstone, No Name, and Armadale.
What themes did Collins explore?
Collins's works explored themes of crime, identity, morality, and social justice, while often critiquing Victorian norms surrounding gender and marriage.
Related Literary Movements
Collins was a key figure in the sensation novel genre and a pioneer of modern detective fiction, influencing authors like Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie.
Wilkie Collins books
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