Charles Gilson

Born on July 8, 1878, and dying on May 18, 1943, Charles Gilson was a British author remembered for fantasy and adventure fiction for boys. Reference works identify him as Charles James Louis Gilson, and note that he sometimes published as Captain Charles Gilson before later appearing as Major Charles Gilson.

His reputation rests on the kind of fast-moving popular fiction that was widely read in the early 1900s: stories of danger, exploration, and imagination aimed at younger audiences. While he is not as widely known today as some of his contemporaries, he remains of interest to readers of classic boys' fiction and early popular fantasy.

Because surviving biographical details are limited in the sources reviewed here, the clearest picture is of a prolific adventure storyteller whose work reflects the tastes and publishing culture of his era.