Edgar Rice Burroughs was born in Chicago, Illinois from an affluent family on September 1, 1875. Educated in private schools, his repeated studies in Greek and Latin resulted in a strong familiarity with classic literature and mythology. Burroughs' later accomplishments in a military academy soon led to a short term of service in the 7th Cavalry at Fort Grant, Arizona Territory. During this time, his adventurous imagination was further nurtured by tales of heroic battles between soldiers and savage Sioux and Apache warriors (and we won't presuppose who Burroughs considered the "heroes").
After returning to private life, Burroughs' struggled to support his family through a variety of occupations and business endeavors which unfortunately led them to the brink of poverty. Flat broke, yet still hopeful, Burroughs turned to his imagination for succor. The beginnings of success came near age 36, when the pulp magazines he advertised in inspired him to try his hand as a writer of romantic fiction. As told by Burroughs, "If people were paid for writing rot such as I read in some of those magazines, I could write stories just as rotten." Little did he know how far-reaching and enduring his efforts would eventually become, established during a time where the pressures of the working man were often alleviated by escapes into the exhilarating worlds presented in literary fantasy.
Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote his first epic novel, "Dejah Thoris, Martian Princess", submitting it to publishers under the pseudonym "Normal Bean" -- a humorous nod to his mental soundness as the author of such a strange and exotic tale. It was picked up immediately by the pulp publication "The All-Story", and was presented in chapter form over six months, retitled as "Under The Moons Of Mars". Thus was born John Carter of Mars, whose adventures would lend great inspiration to writers ranging from J.R.R. Tolkien ("Lord Of The Rings") to George Lucas ("Star Wars").
After returning to private life, Burroughs' struggled to support his family through a variety of occupations and business endeavors which unfortunately led them to the brink of poverty. Flat broke, yet still hopeful, Burroughs turned to his imagination for succor. The beginnings of success came near age 36, when the pulp magazines he advertised in inspired him to try his hand as a writer of romantic fiction. As told by Burroughs, "If people were paid for writing rot such as I read in some of those magazines, I could write stories just as rotten." Little did he know how far-reaching and enduring his efforts would eventually become, established during a time where the pressures of the working man were often alleviated by escapes into the exhilarating worlds presented in literary fantasy.
Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote his first epic novel, "Dejah Thoris, Martian Princess", submitting it to publishers under the pseudonym "Normal Bean" -- a humorous nod to his mental soundness as the author of such a strange and exotic tale. It was picked up immediately by the pulp publication "The All-Story", and was presented in chapter form over six months, retitled as "Under The Moons Of Mars". Thus was born John Carter of Mars, whose adventures would lend great inspiration to writers ranging from J.R.R. Tolkien ("Lord Of The Rings") to George Lucas ("Star Wars").
Edgar Rice Burroughs
(1875-1950)
(1875-1950)
First appearance in print of "Tarzan Of The Apes"
Burroughs' legacy was ensured a few months later with the creation of his most successful character, Tarzan of the Apes -- one of the best-known and enduring heroes in American literary history. Breaking from pulp tradition, "Tarzan of the Apes -- A Romance of the Jungle" was published in its entirety in the October, 1912 issue of "The All-Story" magazine. The fascinating tale of an English lord orphaned on the coast of savage Africa and raised by apes captured the imaginations of readers around the world.
Due to the immediate success of the character, Burroughs penned the next four Tarzan tomes before resuming the adventures of John Carter of Mars. The fifth book in the series, "Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar", remains as one of the most popular and identifiable of his works.
Burroughs continued to satisfy his readers' hunger for new stories from Mars and the jungles of Africa while exploring new territory in-between. His last published Tarzan novel ,"Tarzan and the Castaways", appeared in 1964, and was thought to be the last Burroughs-authored appearance of Tarzan of the Apes until an unfinished 83-page Tarzan manuscript was discovered in a vault after his death in 1950. The untitled story was eventually completed almost 45 years later by author Joe R. Lansdale under commission by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and in conjunction with Dark Horse Comics, who initially published it "pulp-style" in four parts as "Tarzan: The Lost Adventure".
What follows is a synopsis of the 24 original Tarzan novels written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, ending with a nod to the Burroughs / Lansdale publication. All dates refer to the initial publishing in novel form, and do not necessarily reflect the first appearance of the story in print.
Due to the immediate success of the character, Burroughs penned the next four Tarzan tomes before resuming the adventures of John Carter of Mars. The fifth book in the series, "Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar", remains as one of the most popular and identifiable of his works.
Burroughs continued to satisfy his readers' hunger for new stories from Mars and the jungles of Africa while exploring new territory in-between. His last published Tarzan novel ,"Tarzan and the Castaways", appeared in 1964, and was thought to be the last Burroughs-authored appearance of Tarzan of the Apes until an unfinished 83-page Tarzan manuscript was discovered in a vault after his death in 1950. The untitled story was eventually completed almost 45 years later by author Joe R. Lansdale under commission by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and in conjunction with Dark Horse Comics, who initially published it "pulp-style" in four parts as "Tarzan: The Lost Adventure".
What follows is a synopsis of the 24 original Tarzan novels written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, ending with a nod to the Burroughs / Lansdale publication. All dates refer to the initial publishing in novel form, and do not necessarily reflect the first appearance of the story in print.
