# Wilkie Collins

## Biography

William Wilkie Collins, born in London in 1824, was the eldest son of a renowned landscape painter. Though he initially worked as a tea merchant and later studied law, he ultimately dedicated himself to writing. His literary career took a significant turn after meeting Charles Dickens in 1851, who became a close friend and collaborator. Collins contributed to Dickens's periodicals and honed his craft. He became celebrated for his intricate plots, suspenseful narratives, and realistic characterizations, pioneering the sensation novel and detective fiction genres. His most famous works, *The Woman in White* (1860) and *The Moonstone* (1868), are considered foundational to modern mystery and suspense. Collins led an unconventional life, embracing a bohemian lifestyle and maintaining long-term relationships outside of marriage. He continued to write prolifically despite later health issues, influencing countless authors with his innovative storytelling before his death in 1889.

## Books

- [The Moonstone](https://samolit.com/books/95961)
- [The Woman in White](https://samolit.com/books/95924)