William Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was a prominent English novelist, playwright, and short story writer, renowned for his contributions to the creation of the sensation novel genre and his prowess in mystery and detective fiction. Collins gained massive popularity during the Victorian era, particularly for intricately plotting narratives that entwined suspense with social critique. His most celebrated work, 'The Moonstone' (1868), is frequently cited as the precursor of the modern English detective novel, with its groundbreaking structure featuring various narratives from different characters' perspectives and a strong emphasis on the development of suspense and the investigation process.
Collins' literary style is marked by his adept use of mystery and suspense, underpinned by a critical examination of Victorian society's mores and the legal injustices of his time. His ingenuity in structuring narratives, which often included legal and social commentary wrapped in a cloak of entertainment, won him the admiration of readers and the respect of fellow writers. Despite battling health problems, Collins managed to produce a prolific body of work that includes novels such as 'Armadale' and 'No Name', which, alongside 'The Moonstone', affirm his legacy as a master of the sensation novel and an important figure in the development of crime fiction.
