On September first, 1875, Edgar Rice Burroughs was born. As a writer, Burroughs gifted the world with two enduring characters, the jungle-swinging Tarzan and the Mars-exploring John Carter. Burroughs’ stories spanned genres. He wrote science fiction, fantasy, westerns and even historical-romance. Tarzan endures as a popular culture icon as does Burroughs’ influence.
In a 2010 interview with The Paris Review, the late author, Ray Bradbury, cited Burroughs as an early influence and said, “Edgar Rice Burroughs never would have looked upon himself as a social mover and shaker with social obligations. But as it turns out—and I love to say it because it upsets everyone terribly—Burroughs is probably the most influential writer in the entire history of the world.” Bradbury went on in the interview to say, “By giving romance and adventure to a whole generation of boys, Burroughs caused them to go out and decide to become special.”
In celebration of his birthday, check out our selection of Burroughs work, and pick up a copy of one his books so you might find the same inspiration Bradbury found in the pages:
Tarzan of the Apes | A Princess of Mars |
At the Earth’s Core | The Land that Time Forgot |