author
C. E. (Charles Edward) Lawrence
1870–1940
A British editor and author whose work ranged from practical advice for writers to imaginative fiction, he is now especially remembered for an unusual early fantasy that carried its hero to the Moon and beyond. His career also included years of literary work for the publishing house John Murray.
1 Audiobook
Much Ado About Something
by C. E. (Charles Edward) Lawrence
About the author
Charles Edward Lawrence was a British author and editor, born in 1870 and died in 1940. Records from the National Library of Scotland identify him as both an author and an editor, and show that he handled outgoing letters on behalf of the publisher John Murray, placing him close to the day-to-day world of literary publishing.
His writing appears to have been varied rather than confined to a single genre. Reference sources connect him with The Trial of Man: An Allegorical Romance (1902), a novel noted by The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction for its blend of allegory, fantasy, and a journey to the Moon. Other works attributed to him include Mr Ambrose and The Hour of Prospero, suggesting an interest in imaginative and literary storytelling across different forms.
Lawrence also wrote about the craft of writing itself, including The Gentle Art of Authorship, which fits neatly with his editorial background. That combination of practical literary experience and imaginative range makes him an appealing figure for readers curious about the rich, slightly overlooked corners of early twentieth-century English writing.