Born on June 20, 1856, in Bradenham Hall, Norfolk, England, Henry Rider Haggard grew up in a household ruled by his father, a strict lawyer with a notorious reputation. Despite this difficult environment, Haggard's gentle mother nurtured his love for reading. This early passion for literature would later blossom into a successful writing career.

Early Life and Family Influence

Haggard was the sixth child of William and Ella Haggard. His father was known for his flamboyant legal career and harsh treatment of tenants, which earned him quite a reputation. However, Haggard's mother, a published poet, provided a nurturing counterbalance to his father's stern demeanor, encouraging her son's interest in literature. His childhood was filled with the stories of Arabian Nights', Robinson Crusoe, and The Three Musketeers, which sparked his lifelong love for adventure tales.

Educational Challenges

Young Haggard's academic journey was less than stellar. After attending a modest country school, he moved on to grammar school in Ipswich. His performance there was unremarkable, leaving little indication of his future literary achievements.

Adventures in Africa

In 1875, at the age of nineteen, Haggard embarked on his first journey to Africa, a continent that would become central to his storytelling. His father arranged for him to join the staff of Sir Henry Bulwer, the lieutenant-governor of Natal. During his time in South Africa, Haggard meticulously documented his experiences and observations of the native Zulu culture and the landscape, filling notebooks with his adventures.

Romance and Return to England

Haggard had plans to settle in South Africa permanently, even purchasing a farm in Natal Province. However, during a brief trip back to England in 1880, he met and married Marianna Louisa Margitson, a close friend of his sister. With the growing tension between the British and the Boers in South Africa, Haggard decided it was too dangerous for his wife and infant son, prompting the family to sell their possessions and return to England by the end of August 1880.

Finding His Literary Path

By 1882, Haggard had published a book on South Africa at his own expense and began dabbling in fiction writing. His initial novels, Dawn and The Witch's Head, were met with critical applause but did not achieve commercial success. At this point, he contemplated abandoning fiction to focus on law, having completed his legal studies.

The Birth of a Bestseller

Despite contemplating a legal career, Haggard's competitive spirit was piqued by his brother. He wagered that he could craft a better story than Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. In just six weeks, he penned King Solomon's Mines, an adventure novel set in Africa that would become his breakthrough success.

Literary Success and Focus

The release of King Solomon's Mines on September 30, 1885, was met with widespread acclaim. Building on its success, Haggard quickly wrote a sequel, Allan Quatermain, followed by the publication of his famed novel She in 1886. His newfound literary fame led him to abandon law completely in favor of writing full-time.

Legacy and Later Works

While Haggard went on to write numerous other works, his reputation is primarily built on King Solomon's Mines and She. Though his later novels did not capture the same enduring popularity, they were well-received in their time.

The Influence of World Events

By 1905, Haggard was at the pinnacle of his career. His sequel to She, titled Ayesha: The Return of She, was published that fall and sold an impressive 25,000 copies in its first edition. However, the outbreak of World War I impacted book sales significantly, forcing Haggard to divest his farming interests.

Final Years and Literary Impact

In his later years, Haggard remained active in writing and speaking, though he was disheartened by the drop in book sales post-World War I. The cultural climate had shifted; the harsh realities of the war and the decline of the British Empire left little room for the adventurous tales that once captivated audiences. Despite this, his works King Solomon's Mines and She continue to be celebrated as classics of young adult literature even after his death on May 14, 1925.