Arthur Morrison

Arthur Morrison (1863-1945) was an English novelist and journalist best known for his detective and crime fiction, particularly his stories featuring the character of Martin Hewitt. He was also a prolific writer of social realism and essays, and was considered one of the most important writers of the late Victorian era.

Morrison was born in Wapping, London, to a working-class family. He left school at the age of 14 to work as an office boy, but he continued to educate himself through reading and attending evening classes. In 1883, he began working as a journalist for the East London Observer. It was during this time that he began writing fiction, and his first story was published in 1886.

Morrison's first novel, Tales of Mean Streets, was published in 1894. It was a collection of stories set in the slums of London, and it was praised for its realism and its sympathetic portrayal of the working class. Morrison followed up Tales of Mean Streets with a number of other novels, including A Child of the Jago (1896), To London Town (1899), and The Hole in the Wall (1902).

In 1894, Morrison published his first Martin Hewitt novel, Adventures of Martin Hewitt. The novel was a success, and Morrison went on to write over 50 stories featuring the character. Martin Hewitt is a private detective who is known for his intelligence, his deductive skills, and his sense of humor. Morrison's Martin Hewitt stories are considered to be among the best detective fiction of the late Victorian era.

In addition to his detective fiction, Morrison also wrote a number of social realism novels and essays. His social realism novels, such as A Child of the Jago and To London Town, are known for their realistic and sympathetic portrayals of the working class. Morrison's essays, such as those collected in On the Stairs and Landing (1898) and Cunning Murrell (1900), are known for their wit, their insight, and their social commentary.

Morrison was a prolific writer and produced a wide range of work. His novels and stories are still popular today, and he is considered one of the most important writers of the late Victorian era. His work continues to inspire and entertain readers around the world.

Here are some of Arthur Morrison's contributions to the adventure novel genre:

• He created one of the most memorable and enduring detective characters in English literature: Martin Hewitt. Hewitt is a unique and complex character who is both intelligent and compassionate. He is also a master of disguise and deception.
• Morrison's adventure novels are full of suspense and excitement. He knew how to keep his readers on the edge of their seats with his fast-paced plots and clever twists and turns.
• Morrison's adventure novels also explore important social issues. For example, his novel A Child of the Jago is a powerful indictment of the poverty and squalor that existed in the slums of London in the late 19th century.

Morrison's adventure novels are still enjoyed by readers around the world. They are a testament to his talent as a storyteller and his ability to create exciting, suspenseful, and thought-provoking fiction.