Home › Contents › Anthony Hope

Anthony Hope

ANTHONY HOPE, known outside the world of books as Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins, was born in London, February 9, 1863, the son of a clergyman. He married an American woman.

He was educated at Marlborough, and at Balliol College, Oxford, where he took honors in letters and was president of the Oxford Union, which means that he was already a man of mark in his under-graduate days. By way of a profession he became a barrister of the Middle Temple in 1887. But if the pursuit of the law interferes with the production of a thrilling tale, may he never have a case to prepare.

His first book was "The Prisoner of Zenda," which has probably remained his best-known one. It had a large hearing when he turned to the stage, and the public demanded a sequel, which came in "Rupert of Hentzau." After Zenda quickly followed "The Dolly Dialogues," which, by their easy and debonair grace, inevitably suggest Lawrence Sterne. His books have been numerous, as "The King's Mirror" and "Tristam of Blent," and he has written plays as well, as "The Adventure of Lady Ursula." A touch of sureness and precision lend distinction to his prose; he has an unusual power of interesting his readers in his personages and their doings.