The Tales of A. J. Raffles, A Gentleman-Thief (ePub)

Ernest William Hornung, more commonly known as E. W. Hornung (1866-1921), was an English author and poet best known for creating the character of A. J. Raffles, a gentleman thief in late Victorian London, whose exploits were chronicled in 'The Amateur Cracksman' and subsequent stories collected in 'The Tales of A. J. Raffles, A Gentleman-Thief'. Hornung was born into a wealthy family and was educated at Uppingham School; however, he found his calling in literature rather than in business. His contribution to the crime genre was significant; Raffles was designed as a counterpoint to his brother-in-law, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, and featured the same setting and time period, yet focused on the perspective of the criminal instead of the detective. Hornung's work is characterized by his keen observation of Edwardian society and his ability to infuse his tales with wit and a subtle critique of its values. His creation, Raffles, is among the early antiheroes in English literature, simultaneously being charming, intelligent, and flawed. Hornung's lesser-known works extend beyond his Raffles stories and include a significant body of other novels and short stories that reflect diverse genres and themes, cementing his place in the literary canon as a versatile and engaging writer. Despite his passing nearly a century ago, his works remain in print and are studied for their contribution to the crime fiction genre and their reflection of societal attitudes in turn-of-the-century England.