author
Hugh Conway
1847–1885
A Victorian novelist whose gripping tales helped define the early thriller, Hugh Conway achieved remarkable fame with Called Back, a bestselling mystery-romance that was later adapted for the stage. His writing career was brief but striking, ending with his death at just 37.
2 Audiobooks
A Fortnight of Folly
by Maurice Thompson, Hugh Conway
Dark days
by Hugh Conway
About the author
Hugh Conway was the pen name of Frederick John Fargus, born in Bristol on December 26, 1847. The son of an auctioneer, he briefly joined the training ship Conway as a teenager before returning to Bristol, working as an accountant, and eventually taking over his father’s business. He began writing song lyrics and short stories while still a clerk, adopting his pen name in memory of his time aboard the ship.
His breakthrough came with Called Back, published in 1883 by Bristol publisher James Arrowsmith. The suspenseful novel sold more than 350,000 copies within four years and was adapted for the London stage in 1884. Conway followed it with Dark Days, while works including A Family Affair and Living or Dead appeared after his death.
Married to Amy Spark, Conway had three sons and a daughter. In poor health, he was sent to the Riviera, where he contracted typhoid fever and died at Monte Carlo on May 15, 1885. He was buried in Nice.