The Moonstone

Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was an English author of fiction and plays. Remembered today chiefly for two novels, The Woman in White and the landmark mystery The Moonstone, the author's work was extraordinarily popular in his lifetime. Collins was a friend of Charles Dickens, who published some of his best received work. Collins led a rather Bohemian lifestyle, didn't believe in marriage and had two long-term concurrent lovers. The author's health was an issue from an early age and as he grew older he medicated himself with opium, resulting in an addiction that damaged both his health and work.