Anthony Hope

Born in London on February 9, 1863, Anthony Hope was the pen name of Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins. He studied at Balliol College, Oxford, trained as a lawyer, and began writing while still building his legal career.

His big breakthrough came in 1894 with The Prisoner of Zenda, a fast-moving tale of mistaken identity, royal intrigue, and adventure that became an international success. Its sequel, Rupert of Hentzau, helped secure his reputation, and he went on to write many more novels and plays.

Although he was a prolific author, he is still most closely linked with the Ruritanian romance he made famous. He died on July 8, 1933, but his stories of honor, danger, and high-stakes adventure have kept readers coming back for generations.