Algernon Blackwood

Date of Birth: March 14, 1869

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: December 10, 1951

Biography

Algernon Henry Blackwood was an acclaimed English author and one of the most prolific writers of ghost stories in the early 20th century. Born on March 14, 1869, in Shooter’s Hill, England, Blackwood’s life was a tapestry of diverse experiences which richly informed his writing. Educated at Wellington College, he later attended various institutions in Canada and Germany, where he studied a range of subjects from agriculture to Eastern philosophy. Blackwood’s early career was a patchwork of jobs, ranging from being a dairy farmer in Canada to a hotel manager in Switzerland, and even a journalist in New York. His literary breakthrough came in 1906 with the publication of “The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories.” He quickly established himself as a master of supernatural fiction, with works like “The Willows” and “The Wendigo” earning him critical acclaim and a lasting legacy. Besides writing, Blackwood was deeply interested in the occult and was a member of organizations such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. His mystical inclinations often found their way into his stories, adding layers of depth and intrigue. He also worked as a broadcaster for the BBC, where he would narrate his own stories, bringing them to life for a whole new audience. Blackwood never married and had no children. He passed away on December 10, 1951, in Bishopsteighton, England, leaving behind a rich legacy of supernatural fiction that continues to captivate readers to this day.

5 Interesting Facts about Algernon Blackwood

1. Algernon Blackwood was a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a secret society devoted to the study and practice of the occult, metaphysics, and paranormal activities.

2. He served as a British Intelligence officer during World War I, a role that added to his rich tapestry of life experiences.

3. Blackwood was an accomplished violinist and often used music as a source of inspiration for his writing.

4. His story “The Willows” was highly praised by H.P. Lovecraft, who considered it one of the finest supernatural tales in English literature.

5. Blackwood was also a nature enthusiast, and his love for the outdoors is vividly reflected in many of his stories.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Algernon Blackwood

1. “My own strong point, if I have one, is that I am able to write convincingly of the supernatural because I myself have had many experiences of that kind.”

2. “The most powerful emotion of all is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.”

3. “The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.”

4. “One can only learn to be a better writer by actually writing.”

5. “There are strange things lost and forgotten in obscure corners of the newspaper.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Algernon Blackwood’s net worth was estimated to be around £50,000, a considerable sum for a writer in the early 20th century.