Edgar Rice Burroughs - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950) stands as one of America's most influential pioneers of science fiction and adventure literature, whose imaginative works revolutionized popular fiction and helped establish the modern entertainment industry. Best known as the creator of Tarzan and John Carter of Mars, Burroughs transformed pulp fiction into a cultural phenomenon that continues to influence storytelling across multiple media platforms.
Born in Chicago during the Gilded Age, Burroughs's early life was marked by a series of unsuccessful ventures, including stints as a ranch hand, gold miner, and pencil sharpener salesman. His literary career began remarkably late, at age 35, when he began writing fiction while working as a wholesaler of pencil sharpeners. His first story, "Under the Moons of Mars" (later published as "A Princess of Mars"), appeared in 1912 in All-Story Magazine under the pseudonym Norman Bean, marking the beginning of what would become an extraordinary literary legacy.
Burroughs's creative output was prolific and diverse, spanning multiple genres and establishing new paradigms in storytelling. While Tarzan of the Apes (1912) became his most celebrated creation, appearing in 24 novels and countless adaptations, his science fiction works, including the Barsoom series set on Mars, demonstrated remarkable prescience in their treatment of themes like environmental conservation and technological advancement. His innovative approach to licensing and marketing, including early forays into film production through his own company, ERB, Inc., established precedents for modern entertainment franchising.
The author's influence extends far beyond mere entertainment, having inspired generations of writers, scientists, and explorers. Ray Bradbury credited Burroughs for sparking his interest in Mars, while numerous NASA scientists have cited the Barsoom series as early inspiration for their careers. Contemporary readings of his work reveal complex narratives addressing colonialism, gender roles, and humanity's relationship with nature, though these themes are often intertwined with the social perspectives of his era.
Burroughs's legacy persists through continuous reinterpretations of his works, from Hollywood adaptations to academic studies examining his impact on American popular culture. His creation of immersive fictional worlds, coupled with his business acumen, established a template for modern multimedia storytelling that continues to resonate in today's digital age. What deeper currents of American identity and aspiration might we discover through renewed examination of this remarkable author's vast body of work?