The claim that a single author penned one-quarter of all books in England highlights the immense, industrial scale of Edgar Wallace’s literary output. Between his debut in the early twentieth century and his sudden death in 1932, Wallace produced over 170 novels, 957 short stories, and 18 plays, fundamentally reshaping the commercial landscape of crime and adventure fiction.
Early Life and Education
Born Richard Horatio Edgar Freeman in Greenwich on 1 April 1875, he was the son of actors Richard Horatio Marriott Edgar and Mary Jane Richards. Raised by a Billingsgate fishmonger named George Freeman, he left formal schooling at age 12. His youth involved varied labor, including stints as a rubber factory worker, ship's cook, and newspaper seller at Ludgate Circus. In 1894, he enlisted in the British Army, adopting the surname Wallace after the author Lew Wallace.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Journalism and Transition to Fiction
Serving in South Africa during the Second Boer War, Wallace transitioned from the military to journalism, working as a correspondent for Reuters and the Daily Mail. His early literary efforts included ballads inspired by Rudyard Kipling. Following a return to London and mounting financial pressures, he pivoted to writing thrillers. His first major publication, The Four Just Men, appeared in 1905, marking the start of a career defined by rapid, high-volume production.
Literary Prolificacy and Hollywood
By 1921, Wallace signed with Hodder & Stoughton, cementing his status as an internationally recognized writer. His work spanned detective series, such as the J. G. Reeder stories, and colonial adventures like Sanders of the River. In 1931, after an unsuccessful campaign as a Liberal MP candidate in Blackpool, Wallace moved to Hollywood. He was employed by RKO as a screenwriter and was involved in the initial development of King Kong at the time of his death.
Legacy and Historical Impact
Wallace died in Beverly Hills on 10 February 1932 from undiagnosed diabetes. His combined works sold over 50 million copies. While the majority of his books fell out of print in the United Kingdom, he maintained a significant following in Germany, where approximately 50 of his titles remain in circulation. Over 160 films have been adapted from his original writings, securing his position as a cornerstone of the thriller genre.
Fast facts
- Born: 1 April 1875, Greenwich
- Died: 10 February 1932, Beverly Hills
- Novels written: Over 170
- Short stories written: 957
- Notable stage plays: 18
- Military service: British Army
- Notable early work: The Four Just Men (1905)
- Literary output in 1929: 12 novels
Questions readers ask
How did Edgar Wallace begin his writing career?
He started as a war correspondent for Reuters and the Daily Mail during the Second Boer War before turning to fiction to generate income to resolve personal debts.
What was his final professional project?
He was working as a screenwriter for RKO in Hollywood and was contributing to the initial drafting of the film King Kong when he died in 1932.
Achievements
- Genres: thriller
