H. Rider Haggard
Biography
Sir Henry Rider Haggard (1856–1925) was an English writer best known for adventure novels set in Africa. After working as a colonial administrator in South Africa, he drew on those experiences to create some of the most popular adventure fiction of the Victorian era. King Solomon’s Mines (1885) and She (1887) were enormous bestsellers that defined the “lost world” genre. Haggard created the iconic adventurer Allan Quatermain, a template for every fictional explorer from Indiana Jones to Lara Croft. He wrote over 50 novels and was knighted in 1912 for his contributions to agriculture and public service.
Common themes in H. Rider Haggard's work
African adventure
A recurring theme throughout H. Rider Haggard's writing.
Lost worlds
A recurring theme throughout H. Rider Haggard's writing.
Allan Quatermain
A recurring theme throughout H. Rider Haggard's writing.
Victorian exploration
A recurring theme throughout H. Rider Haggard's writing.
Books
Maiwa’s Revenge
When the World Shook
She
Allan Quatermain Stories
Allan Quatermain
King Solomon’s Mines
Cleopatra
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Why H. Rider Haggard is still read today
Haggard’s adventure novels remain thrilling reads and have been adapted endlessly for film and television. His creation of the “lost world” and “great white hunter” archetypes shaped popular culture for over a century.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was H. Rider Haggard?
Haggard (1856–1925) was an English adventure novelist who created Allan Quatermain and wrote King Solomon’s Mines and She. Read his novels free on TextStack.
What is Haggard best known for?
King Solomon’s Mines, She, and the Allan Quatermain series — pioneering lost-world adventure fiction.
Where can I read H. Rider Haggard online?
TextStack offers 7 of his works free online.
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