Category Archives: Historical Context

Anthony Trollope was born in 1815 and spent most of his life working at the post office in both Ireland and England. He is most famous for the publication of a series of novels known as the Barchester books (1855 … Continue reading →

Mary Shelley is best known for her novel, Frankenstein.  She lived from 1797-1851, and wrote the short story, The Mortal Immortal, in 1833.  During the 1830’s she published many of her works, a lot of which were devoted to family. … Continue reading →

Sheridan Le Fanu was an Irish journalist, newspaper manager and writer. He lived from 1814-1873, in Dublin, Ireland. He graduated from Trinity College in Dublin, and published several stories to the Dublin University Magazine, a publication founded by Trinity College … Continue reading →

Born in London, Wilkie Collins is best known for establishing the detective story. After publishing a biography of his father, a painter, in 1848, Collins became a professional writer. The Woman in White and The Moonstone were Collins’s greatest successes—dark … Continue reading →

I was especially intrigued by this story above all the others for the mere fact that through family tradition there has always existed a gambler in me. I love playing poker and going to casinos, and gambling has also caused … Continue reading →

“A Terribly Strange Bed” by Wilkie Collins was written in 1852, just one year after The Great Exhibition took place in London. The Great Exhibition was an event to showcase new art, design and technology from England and overseas. Other … Continue reading →