author
Abraham Merritt
1884–1943
A master of early fantasy and science-fantasy, he filled his stories with lost worlds, strange civilizations, and a lush sense of wonder that captivated generations of readers. Alongside his fiction, he built a major career in American journalism as a widely read magazine editor.
2 Audiobooks
The Moon Pool
by Abraham Merritt
The Metal Monster
by Abraham Merritt
About the author
Born in Beverly, New Jersey, in 1884, Abraham Grace Merritt became famous under the byline A. Merritt. He moved to Philadelphia as a boy, studied law for a time, and then turned to journalism instead. That shift led to a long editorial career, first at the Philadelphia Inquirer and later at The American Weekly, where he eventually became editor.
As a writer, Merritt was one of the standout popular fantasists of the early 20th century. Novels such as The Moon Pool, The Metal Monster, and The Ship of Ishtar helped define a style of adventure fantasy rich with mystery, ancient powers, and vivid, dreamlike settings. His work blended fantasy, science fiction, and the occult in ways that left a strong mark on later imaginative fiction.
Merritt continued balancing editorial work and storytelling until his death in Florida in 1943. Though tastes have changed, his best-known tales are still remembered for their atmosphere, ambition, and sense of the marvelous.