Tarzan of the Apes

‘Tarzan of the Apes,’ a classic tale of adventure by Edgar Rice Burroughs has captivated readers both young and old ever since it was first published in 1914. Highly imaginative, the story tells of an infant, the son of an aristocratic English couple, who was abandoned when his parents died in the jungles of Africa. Rescued and reared by apes, he learns to speak their language and imitate their ability to travel swiftly through the treetops. Eventually, his courage, immense strength and exceptional intelligence earn him the respect and admiration not only of the apes, but of all the creatures of the jungle.

Pitted against a steady stream of daunting challenges, Tarzan will rise to rule his tribe of apes and encounter fellow humans at last, when another shipwreck maroons lovely Jane Porter and her comrades on his shore. By couching his extravagant imagination in clear, direct prose the author balances his novel on a razor edge between realistic drama and pure fairy tale. Tarzan remains a unique and indelible character, capable of terrifying acts of bestial violence or noble acts of loyalty and self-sacrifice.

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) was an American novelist and one of the most imaginative adventure writers of the twentieth century. Best known as the creator of Tarzan and John Carter of Mars, Burroughs captivated millions of readers with his thrilling tales of heroism, exploration, and fantasy. His novels blended action, romance, science fiction, and exotic settings, establishing him as a pioneer of popular fiction. His enduring characters have inspired countless books, films, television series, comics, and other adaptations, making him one of the most influential storytellers in modern literary history.

Burroughs was born on September 1, 1875, in Chicago, Illinois. The son of a successful businessman, he attended several schools, including the Michigan Military Academy, where he developed an interest in discipline and adventure. Before becoming a writer, he worked in a wide variety of occupations, including ranching, mining, selling office equipment, and managing business ventures. Although these careers brought limited success, they provided him with a wealth of experiences that later enriched his vivid storytelling.

His writing career began almost by chance in his mid-thirties. Believing he could write stories as entertaining as those appearing in popular magazines, Burroughs submitted his first novel, Under the Moons of Mars, in 1912. The story introduced John Carter, a heroic adventurer transported to Mars, and became an immediate success. Later that same year, Burroughs published Tarzan of the Apes, introducing the orphaned child raised by apes in the African jungle. Tarzan quickly became an international cultural icon and remains one of the most recognizable fictional characters ever created.

Over the following decades, Burroughs wrote more than seventy novels, including numerous Tarzan adventures, the Barsoom (Mars) series, the Pellucidar novels, the Venus series, and many standalone works. His stories celebrated courage, loyalty, imagination, and the triumph of determination over adversity. His fast-paced narratives and richly imagined worlds helped shape the development of modern fantasy and science fiction.

During the Second World War, Burroughs worked as a war correspondent in the Pacific, demonstrating his lifelong spirit of adventure. He passed away in 1950 in Encino, California, leaving behind an extraordinary literary legacy.

Today, Edgar Rice Burroughs is remembered as one of the greatest creators of adventure fiction. His unforgettable characters, boundless imagination, and pioneering vision continue to inspire readers, writers, filmmakers, and dreamers around the world, ensuring that his stories remain timeless classics of popular literature.