Classic Ghost Stories

M.R. James (1862-1936) was an English author, medievalist scholar, and provost of King's College, Cambridge. Best known for his ghost stories, which are widely regarded as among the finest in the genre, James redefined the traditional ghost story by abandoning many of the formal Gothic clichés of his predecessors and using more realistic contemporary settings. His stories often reflect his academic background, with the protagonist being a scholar or antiquarian.

"Casting the Runes" is a short story by M.R. James, first published in 1911 as part of his collection "More Ghost Stories." The story tells t...

Fritz Leiber (1910-1992) was an influential American writer of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He is best known for his sword-and-sorcery stories and his novel "Conjure Wife" (1943). Leiber's works often combined elements of fantasy, horror, and science fiction, and he coined the term "sword and sorcery." He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in modern speculative fiction.

"The Smoke Ghost" (1941) is a key example of urban weird fiction, blending horror, fantasy, and social commentary. The story explores themes of urban alienation and the horrors of modernity, as seen in other works like H...

Alan Noel Latimer Munby (25 December 1913 – 26 December 1974) was a distinguished English librarian, bibliographical scholar, and book collector, noted for his contributions to the study of rare books and manuscripts. Additionally, he gained recognition as an author of ghost stories, influenced by the style of M. R. James.

Munby was born in Hampstead, the son of architect Alan E. Munby and Ethel Greenhill. He received his education at Clifton College and later attended King's College, Cambridge, where he acquired the nickname "Tim."

Munby's career encompassed various roles in the antiquarian book trade, including positions at Bernard Quaritch Lt...

Robert E. Howard (1906–1936) was an influential American author primarily known for his contributions to the genres of fantasy, horror, and adventure fiction. He is best remembered as the creator of Conan the Barbarian, a character who has become an iconic figure in popular culture.

Born in Peaster, Texas, Howard demonstrated a keen interest in storytelling from a young age. He began writing fiction in his teens, and by his early twenties, he had already begun to make a name for himself in the pulp magazine market. Howard's stories were published in a variety of popular magazines of th...

Abraham "Bram" Stoker was born on November 8, 1847, in Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland. He was the third of seven children born to Abraham Stoker and Charlotte Mathilda Blake Thornley Stoker. Stoker spent much of his early childhood bedridden due to an unknown illness, during which he entertained himself with stories and books. Despite his illness, he eventually made a full recovery and went on to study at Trinity College Dublin, where he excelled in athletics and graduated with honours in Mathematics.

After graduation, Stoker pursued a career in civil service while also working as a freelance journalist and theatre...

John William Polidori, an Italian-English physician and writer born in 1795, was a notable figure associated with the Romantic movement. As the eldest son of Gaetano Polidori, an Italian scholar, and Anna Maria Pierce, a governess, Polidori was exposed to intellectual pursuits from a young age. He received his medical degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1815 at the remarkably young age of 19. Polidori's literary talents and connections led him to serve as personal physician to the renowned poet Lord Byron, embarking on a European tour with him in 1816.

During their travels, Polidori found himself in the company...

Henry James (1843–1916) was an American author renowned for his contributions to literature, particularly within the realm of psychological realism. Born in New York City, James spent much of his life traveling between Europe and the United States, which greatly influenced his cosmopolitan worldview and writing style. Known for his intricate character studies and keen exploration of human psychology, James's works often delved into themes of social conventions, personal freedom, and the complexities of interpersonal relationships. Throughout his prolific career, he authored numerous novels, short stories, and essays, earning him recognition as one of the foremost literary figures of the 19th...

John Stephen Glasby (23 September 1928 – 5 June 2011) was a British author born in East Retford, Nottinghamshire. Trained as a research chemist and mathematician, Glasby's early career saw him balancing his scientific pursuits with a burgeoning passion for writing. His literary journey began in the 1950s and 1960s, during which he emerged as a prolific figure in the pulp publishing industry. Despite his scientific background, Glasby's literary ambitions led him to explore a wide array of genres, from speculative fiction and romance to westerns and spy thrillers. His ability to seamlessly transition between genres showcased his versatility as a writer, earning him a...

Nigel Kneale was a highly acclaimed British screenwriter and novelist, best known for his pioneering work in the science fiction genre, particularly the creation of the iconic character Professor Bernard Quatermass. Born on April 28, 1922, in the Isle of Man, Kneale began his career as a journalist before transitioning to writing for radio, television, and film. He was brought up in Barrow-in-Furness.

His breakthrough came in the early 1950s with the BBC television series "The Quatermass Experiment," which introduced audiences to the brilliant and enigmatic scientist Professor Bernard Quatermass. This character, portrayed as a determined and sometimes morally...

Stuart Strauss remains an enigmatic figure in the world of weird fiction, with scant information available about his life. He is known for a limited body of work, including "The Shadow on The Moor" (1928), "The Soul Tube" (1928), and "The Clenched Hand" (1934). The use of a pseudonym and language suggesting potential unfamiliarity with British culture has led to the assumption that Strauss might be an American author.

"The Shadow on The Moor" is a tale that first appeared in the February 1928 issue of "Weird Tales." Its republication in the 2023 British Library anthology "Circles of Stone: Weird Tales of...