The Upper Berth; By the Waters of Paradise (ePub)

Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was an American writer noted for his many novels, especially those set in Italy, and for his classic supernatural tales. Crawford was born into an artistic and intellectual family; his father was the sculptor Thomas Crawford, and his aunt was the novelist Julia Ward Howe known for 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic.' Educated in the United States, at St. Paul's School, and later in Europe, he attended Cambridge, the University of Heidelberg, and the University of Rome. Crawford's cosmopolitan upbringing and education reflect deeply in his literary work. His foray into writing achieved significant popularity with his Roman novels and an extensive series of historical and romance novels. However, Crawford's unique contribution to literature comes from his fascination with the supernatural, perfectly encapsulated in stories such as 'The Upper Berth' (1894) and 'By the Waters of Paradise' (1890). These stories highlight Crawford's skill in blending the eerie and mysterious with everyday realities, a hallmark of his literary style. His tales often ventured into the realms of horror, fantasy, and the paranormal, distinguishing his work from the more conventional forms of realistic fiction that were predominant at the time. Through his nuanced treatment of the supernatural and the macabre, Crawford solidified his legacy as a master storyteller, whose works continue to be admired for their gothic sensibility and imaginative power.