H. Rider Haggard

Sir Henry Rider Haggard (June 22, 1856 – May 14, 1925), born in Bradenham, Norfolk, England, was a Victorian writer of adventure novels set in locations considered exotic by readers in his native England.

Related Topics:
June 22 - 1856 - May 14 - 1925 - Bradenham - Norfolk, England - Victorian - England

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Haggard had some firsthand experience of these locations, thanks to his extensive travels. He first travelled to Natal Colony in 1875, as secretary to the colonial Governor Bulwer. It was in this role that Haggard was present in Pretoria for the official announcement of the British annexation of the Boer Republic of the Transvaal. In fact, Haggard was forced to read out much of the proclamation following the loss of voice of the official originally entrusted with the duty.

Related Topics:
Natal Colony - 1875 - Bulwer - Pretoria - Boer - Transvaal - Proclamation

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In 1878 he became Registrar of the High Court in the Transvaal, in the region that was to become part of South Africa. He was eventually to return to England to find a wife, bringing Mariana Louisa Margitson back to Africa with him as a bride.

Related Topics:
1878 - Registrar - South Africa

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Returning again to England in 1882, the couple settled in Ditchingham, Norfolk. Later he lived in Kessingland and had connections with the church in Bungay. He turned to the study of law and was called to the bar in 1884. His practice of law was somewhat desultory, and much of his time was taken up by the writing of novels.

Related Topics:
1882 - Ditchingham - Norfolk - Kessingland - Bungay - Called to the bar - 1884

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While his novels contain many of the strong preconceptions common to the culture of British colonialism, they are unusual for the degree of sympathy with which he often treats the native populations. Africans often serve heroic roles in his novels, though the protagonists are typically, though not invariably, European. A notable example is Ignosi, the rightful king of Kukuanaland in King Solomon's Mines. Having developed an intense mutual friendship with the three Englishmen who help him reclaim his throne, he wisely accepts their advice to abolish witch hunts and arbitrary capital punishment.

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Haggard is most famous as the author of the best-selling novel King Solomon's Mines, as well as many others such as She, Ayesha (sequel to She), Allan Quatermain (sequel to King Solomon's Mines), and the epic Viking romance, Eric Brighteyes.

Related Topics:
King Solomon's Mines - She - Ayesha - Viking - Eric Brighteyes

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Though Haggard is no longer as popular as he was when his books appeared, some of his characters have had a notable impact on early-twentieth-century thought. Ayesha, the female protagonist of She, was even cited by both Sigmund Freud in The Interpretation of Dreams and by Carl Jung as a female prototype. Allan Quatermain (not spelled 'Quartermain'), the hero of King Solomon's Mines and its sequel still appears in Western popular culture today. As a populariser of the Lost World genre Haggard has had a wide influence on the spheres of science-fiction and fantasy through the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Related Topics:
Sigmund Freud - The Interpretation of Dreams - Carl Jung - Allan Quatermain - Western - Popular culture - Lost World - Science-fiction - Edgar Rice Burroughs

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The mystery writer Elizabeth Peters has cited Haggard as a creative influence, particularly concerning her Amelia Peabody novel The Last Camel Died at Noon.

Related Topics:
Elizabeth Peters - Amelia Peabody - The Last Camel Died at Noon

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