Born on this day September 1, 1875, Edgar Rice Burroughs, a master storyteller, created timeless fictional universes that continue to captivate audiences. His imagination journey began with Tarzan, a character whose primal prowess and noble heart have been immortalized in countless novels and films. Tarzan, the ‘Lord of the Jungle’, born of noble English parents but raised by apes in the African jungle, embodies a fascinating dichotomy between nature and civilization. These stories not only thrilled readers with their exotic landscapes and thrilling adventures but also provoked contemplation about human nature and the boundaries between savagery and civilization.
Yet, Tarzan was just the beginning. Burroughs further expanded his literary universe introducing us to the Martian world of Barsoom, inhabited by John Carter, a Civil War veteran who is mysteriously transported to Mars. The Barsoom series is an extraordinary blend of science fiction and fantasy, filled with lost cities, ferocious green Martians, and princesses in need of rescue.
Another fascinating dimension of Burroughs’ imagination is Pellucidar, an exotic prehistoric world lying at the Earth’s core. Pellucidar introduced us to a universe where evolution works backward, where primitive creatures coexist with evolved humans. Similarly, Amtor and Caspak are other unique worlds crafted by Burroughs. Amtor is a Venusian world teeming with strange flora and fauna while Caspak is an isolated island located in the South Pacific Ocean where prehistoric creatures roam freely.
In each of these unique worlds – Tarzan’s jungle, Barsoom’s red deserts, Pellucidar’s hollow earth, Amtor’s cloud-shrouded landscapes, and Caspak’s dinosaur-filled wilderness – Burroughs used his pen to paint vivid pictures that continue to enthral generations. With each location rich in its own history, culture, and species, Burroughs’ creativity remains unrivalled. His stories are not just mere escapism; they challenge our perceptions about evolution, survival, morality and the potential of human spirit.
From Tarzan to John Carter and beyond, Edgar Rice Burroughs’ imagination has made a lasting impression on literature. He created extraordinary worlds that transcend time and space, inviting readers to embark on unforgettable journeys of adventure and discovery.
“And so, in silence, we walked the surface of a dying world, but in the breast of one of us at least had been born that which is ever oldest, yet ever new.
I loved Dejah Thoris. The touch of my arm upon her naked shoulder had spoken to me in words I would not mistake, and I knew that I had loved her since the first moment my eyes had met hers that first time in the plaza of the dead city of Korad.”
-Edgar Rice Burroughs, A Princess of Mars
Curated by Jennifer
