Sax Rohmer

Sax Rohmer, the pen name of Arthur Henry Sarsfield Ward (1883-1959), was a British novelist who rose to fame for his creation:

• Mastermind of Evil: Dr. Fu Manchu: Rohmer's most famous work is the series featuring the villainous Dr. Fu Manchu, a brilliant Chinese criminal mastermind. These novels embodied the "yellow peril" trope, a racist stereotype portraying Asians as a threat to the West. [It's important to be aware of this problematic aspect of Rohmer's work.]
• Beyond Fu Manchu: While Fu Manchu is his claim to fame, Rohmer also wrote other novels and short stories, including a series featuring the villainess Sumuru, a kind of female counterpart to Fu Manchu.
• Early Hustle: Before becoming a successful novelist, Rohmer dabbled in various professions, including civil service, banking, and journalism. He also wrote comedy sketches and songs for music hall performers.
• Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn: Like some of his contemporaries, Rohmer may have been involved in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a mystical order with an interest in the occult.
• Legacy: Dr. Fu Manchu has been adapted numerous times for film, radio, television, and comic strips, solidifying Rohmer's place in pop culture history. However, the racist connotations associated with the character are a critical aspect to consider when looking at Rohmer's work.