author
Charles Gilson
1878–1943
A prolific British writer and army officer, he filled early 20th-century books and magazines with adventure, historical drama, and science-fiction tales for young readers. His stories capture both the excitement and the attitudes of the imperial era in which he wrote.
5 Audiobooks
Treasure of Kings Being the Story of the Discovery of the "Big Fish," or the Quest of the Greater Treasure of the Incas of Peru.
by Charles Gilson
Submarine U93
by Charles Gilson
Held by Chinese Brigands
by Charles Gilson
The Fire-Gods: A Tale of the Congo
by Charles Gilson
Across the Cameroons: A Story of War and Adventure
by Charles Gilson
About the author
Born in Dedham, Essex, on 8 July 1878, Charles James Louis Gilson wrote under several names, including Captain Charles Gilson, Major Charles Gilson, and Barbara Gilson. He served in the British Army and became widely known for children's adventure stories, historical fiction, and early science fiction.
Many of his tales appeared in popular boys' magazines such as The Captain and The Boy's Own Paper, helping him reach a large audience in the first half of the 20th century. His books often mixed action, exploration, and patriotic themes, and he was especially associated with fast-moving stories aimed at younger readers.
Gilson died on 18 May 1943. Today he is remembered as a notably prolific popular writer whose work offers both lively storytelling and a revealing glimpse into the ideas and assumptions of his time.