Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) was an American author primarily known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic Mars adventurer John Carter. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Burroughs did not find immediate success as a writer, having worked variously as a shopkeeper, salesman, and pencil sharpener wholesaler before turning to pen and paper. His pivotal breakthrough came with 'Tarzan of the Apes' (1912), a novel that sparked the public's imagination with its tale of a boy raised by great apes in the African jungle. The series expanded, and 'The Son of Tarzan,' the fourth book, was published in 1917, charting the adventures of Tarzan's son, Jack Clayton, also known as Korak. Burroughs's writing style often featured exotic settings, fantastical plots, and larger-than-life characters which helped popularize the genre of pulp fiction. His work in science fiction also predates and contributes to the establishment of such genre conventions. Over his career, Burroughs wrote nearly 80 novels, including the Barsoom series, the Pellucidar series, and the Land That Time Forgot trilogy. His influential narrative techniques, particularly in adventure and science fiction, solidified his legacy as a pioneer of early 20th-century American literature. Beyond his lasting literary contributions, Burroughs's characters have been adapted into countless films, radio plays, TV shows, and comic books, underscoring his significant impact on popular culture.