COLLINS Wilkie (Collins Wilkie)

(1824-1889)
Author of one of the first and most successful works of detective fiction - the novel The Moonstone. Wilkie Collins was born on January 8, 1824 in London. He graduated from private school. He traveled through Europe, lived in Italy. For a time he served in the company that imported tea. In 1847, deciding to take up case law, has acted in 'Lincoln's Inn'; in 1851 became a barrister.
In 1848 published his first book - memories of his father, renowned artist, Priva sons love for art, yet stern moralists. Collins's first novel, Antonina (Antonina, 1850) is now less interesting than walks away from the railroad (Rambles Beyond Railways, 1851) - Notes on a journey around Cornwall.

In 1851, Collins met Charles Dickens, and for many years to become his friend. In 1850-ies he became friendly with Caroline Elizabeth Graves, have had a strong influence. According to the artist Dzh.E.Millesa, . Collins' first meeting with Mrs. Graves, . likely, . prompted him to stage a woman in white (The Woman in White, . 1860), . the best of his book, though, . the basis of the novel undoubtedly lay the case of the French legal practice,
. Not less success enjoyed Moonstone (The Moonstone, 1868), one of the first detective and adventure novels with a cleverly constructed plot. This romantic story about the mysterious disappearance of the sacred diamond, which, like the legendary Kohinoor brings misfortune to its owners.

Collins's later works are often the critical focus. So, . Novel husband and wife (Man and Wife, . 1870) directed against the imperfections of the marriage law, the Law and the woman (The Law and the Lady, . 1875) - adopted in Scotland against the verdict of 'proven guilty', Soul and Science (Heart and Science, . 1883) - against the deification of science, . leading, . example, . to the practice of vivisection,
. Heroines of the novels New Magdalene (The New Magdalen, 1873) and Fallen Leaves (The Fallen Leaves, 1879) have 'fallen' women.

Collins died in London on September 23, 1889.