Wilkie Collins was an English novelist, playwright, and short story writer, best known for pioneering the sensation novel, a genre that blended mystery, suspense, and psychological intrigue. Born in London, he was the son of landscape painter William Collins and grew up in an artistic and intellectual environment. Although he initially studied law at Lincoln’s Inn, his passion for storytelling led him to a literary career. His early works, including Antonina (1850), showed promise, but it was his friendship with Charles Dickens that truly propelled his career. Collins contributed to Household Words, Dickens’ literary magazine, and the two often collaborated on theatrical and literary projects.

Collins gained widespread acclaim with The Woman in White (1860), a novel that captivated readers with its intricate plot, strong female characters, and elements of mystery and crime. He followed this success with No Name (1862), Armadale (1866), and The Moonstone (1868), the latter often cited as one of the first modern detective novels due to its innovative use of multiple narrators and investigative techniques. His works were notable for their critique of Victorian social norms, particularly regarding women’s rights and legal injustices. Despite his literary achievements, Collins struggled with health issues and became dependent on opium, which influenced the darker, more hallucinatory aspects of his later fiction.

In his later years, Collins continued to write prolifically, though his popularity waned as literary tastes shifted. He never married but maintained long-term relationships with two women, Caroline Graves and Martha Rudd, defying conventional Victorian expectations. His health declined significantly in the 1880s, and he passed away in 1889 at the age of 65. Though sometimes overshadowed by his contemporaries, Collins’ contributions to the development of detective fiction and psychological thrillers remain influential, and his best works continue to be read and studied today.