Edgar Rice Burroughs American Author and Creator of Tarzan

Edgar Rice Burroughs (born September 1, 1875 – died March 19, 1950) was an American author best known as the creator of the iconic characters Tarzan and John Carter of Mars.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Burroughs began writing in 1911 and quickly found success with serialized adventure tales. His imaginative worlds, often blending romance, action, and science fiction, captivated readers around the world.

His most famous creation, Tarzan, debuted in 1912 and went on to become a global phenomenon, inspiring books, films, radio shows, and comic strips. Likewise, his Barsoom series, beginning with A Princess of Mars, influenced generations of science fiction writers.

Burroughs was a prolific writer, publishing nearly 80 novels in his lifetime. His works combined high adventure with themes of exploration, survival, and the clash of civilizations.

Edgar Rice Burroughs

Date of Birth: September 1, 1875

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Nationality: American

Known for: Creator of Tarzan and John Carter of Mars, Adventure and Science Fiction Novels

Literary Contributions

Burroughs helped define modern adventure and science fiction literature. His vivid storytelling and world-building inspired countless adaptations and laid the groundwork for future speculative fiction.

Personal Life

Burroughs served briefly in the military and held various jobs before turning to writing. Later in life, he lived in Tarzana, California—a community named after his famous character.

Death and Legacy

Edgar Rice Burroughs died on March 19, 1950, in Encino, California. His creations, especially Tarzan, remain enduring figures in global popular culture, continuing to inspire literature, film, and art.

Bibliography (Books)

Year Title Category Notes
Barsoom (John Carter of Mars)
1917 A Princess of Mars Barsoom John Carter series opener.
1918 The Gods of Mars Barsoom Direct continuation of John Carter’s story.
1919 The Warlord of Mars Barsoom Completes the opening trilogy arc.
1920 Thuvia, Maid of Mars Barsoom Barsoom novel centered on Thuvia.
1922 The Chessmen of Mars Barsoom Standalone-style Barsoom adventure within the cycle.
1928 The Master Mind of Mars Barsoom Later-entry Barsoom novel.
1931 A Fighting Man of Mars Barsoom Barsoom novel featuring wartime themes.
1936 Swords of Mars Barsoom Late-period Barsoom entry.
1940 Synthetic Men of Mars Barsoom Barsoom novel with “synthetic men” premise.
1948 Llana of Gathol Barsoom Book publication of later Barsoom material.
1964 John Carter of Mars Barsoom Posthumous Barsoom volume (book publication).
Tarzan (Novels & Key Collections)
1914 Tarzan of the Apes Tarzan Introduces Tarzan.
1915 The Return of Tarzan Tarzan Second Tarzan novel.
1916 The Beasts of Tarzan Tarzan Third Tarzan novel.
1917 The Son of Tarzan Tarzan Focuses on Tarzan’s family line.
1918 Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar Tarzan Opar setting becomes a recurring element.
1919 Jungle Tales of Tarzan Tarzan (collection) Early Tarzan story collection.
1920 Tarzan the Untamed Tarzan Includes the “Valley of Luna” material in book form.
1921 Tarzan the Terrible Tarzan Major mid-series Tarzan entry.
1923 Tarzan and the Golden Lion Tarzan Tarzan novel featuring Jad-bal-ja.
1924 Tarzan and the Ant Men Tarzan “Lost world” style Tarzan novel.
1928 Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle Tarzan Later Tarzan installment (book publication).
1929 Tarzan and the Lost Empire Tarzan Lost civilization theme.
1930 Tarzan at the Earth’s Core Tarzan / Pellucidar Crossover with Pellucidar setting.
1931 Tarzan the Invincible Tarzan Adventure-focused Tarzan entry.
1932 Tarzan Triumphant Tarzan Series continuation.
1933 Tarzan and the City of Gold Tarzan Lost-city motif.
1934 Tarzan and the Lion Man Tarzan Tarzan novel (book publication).
1935 Tarzan and the Leopard Men Tarzan Tarzan novel (book publication).
1936 Tarzan’s Quest Tarzan Quest-driven Tarzan plotline.
1938 Tarzan and the Forbidden City Tarzan Forbidden-city theme.
1939 Tarzan the Magnificent Tarzan Late-1930s Tarzan novel.
1947 Tarzan and the Foreign Legion Tarzan Later Tarzan novel (book publication).
1963 Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins Tarzan (collection) Book publication of related Tarzan material.
1964 Tarzan and the Madman Tarzan Posthumously published Tarzan novel (book).
1965 Tarzan and the Castaways Tarzan (collection) Collection of later Tarzan stories (book).
1995 Tarzan: The Lost Adventure Tarzan Later publication associated with Burroughs’s Tarzan material.
Pellucidar
1922 At the Earth’s Core Pellucidar Series opener (book publication).
1923 Pellucidar Pellucidar Second Pellucidar book.
1930 Tanar of Pellucidar Pellucidar Later Pellucidar installment.
1930 Tarzan at the Earth’s Core Pellucidar / Tarzan Crossover title (book publication).
1937 Back to the Stone Age Pellucidar Return to Pellucidar setting.
1944 Land of Terror Pellucidar World War II–era publication.
1963 Savage Pellucidar Pellucidar (collection) Posthumous book publication of Pellucidar stories.
Venus (Carson Napier)
1934 Pirates of Venus Venus Carson Napier series opener.
1935 Lost on Venus Venus Second Venus novel (book publication).
1939 Carson of Venus Venus Third Venus novel (book publication).
1946 Escape on Venus Venus Book publication of later Venus material.
1964 The Wizard of Venus Venus Posthumous book publication (Venus-related).
Caspak (The Land That Time Forgot)
1924 The Land That Time Forgot Caspak Caspak trilogy (book publication timeline begins here).
1924 The People That Time Forgot Caspak Second Caspak installment (book publication).
1924 Out of Time’s Abyss Caspak Third Caspak installment (book publication).
Moon (The Moon Maid cycle)
1926 The Moon Maid Moon Moon cycle (book publication).
1926 The Moon Men Moon Continuation within the Moon cycle (book publication).
Westerns
1925 The Bandit of Hell’s Bend Western Western novel (book publication).
1927 The War Chief Western Western novel (book publication).
1933 Apache Devil Western Western novel (book publication).
1940 The Deputy Sheriff of Comanche County Western Western novel (book publication).
Other Notable Books (Selected by publication as books)
1921 The Mucker Contemporary Book publication of the “Mucker” story.
1921 The Return of the Mucker Contemporary Companion “Mucker” volume in book form.
1923 The Girl from Hollywood Contemporary Contemporary novel (book publication).
1925 The Cave Girl Jungle Jungle adventure (book publication).
1925 The Cave Man Jungle Jungle adventure (book publication).
1925 The Eternal Lover Fantasy / Lost world Published as a book in October 1925.
1926 The Mad King Ruritanian Ruritanian romance (book publication).
1927 The Outlaw of Torn Historical Historical novel (book publication).
1929 The Monster Men Science fiction Science-fiction novel (book publication).
1932 Jungle Girl Jungle Also associated with “The Land of Hidden Men” title variant.
1937 The Rider Ruritanian Ruritanian romance (book publication).
1937 The Oakdale Affair Contemporary Later book publication within Burroughs’s contemporary fiction.
1938 The Lad and the Lion Jungle Jungle adventure (book publication).
1955 Beyond Thirty Science fiction Book publication of “Beyond Thirty” material.
1955 The Man-Eater Jungle Book publication of early jungle adventure material.
1959 The Girl from Farris’s Contemporary Posthumous book publication.
1964 Tales of Three Planets Science fiction (collection) Posthumous book publication (multi-planet SF).
1966 The Efficiency Expert Contemporary Later book publication.
1967 I Am a Barbarian Historical Posthumously published historical novel (book).
1970 Pirate Blood Collection Later book publication.
1974 The Scientists Revolt Science fiction Later book publication of Burroughs SF material.
1998 Minidoka: 937th Earl of One Mile Series M Posthumous Later publication (book/comics publication).
1999 Marcia of the Doorstep Posthumous Later publication.
2001 Forgotten Tales of Love and Murder Collection Later publication spanning early-to-late material.

Selected Legacy & Influence

  • Created two of the best-known adventure franchises of the 20th century: Tarzan and the Barsoom/John Carter cycle.
  • His “lost world” and planetary-romance storytelling became foundational reference points for later popular adventure and science-fiction traditions.
  • Tarzan remains a long-running character across multiple media, with ongoing cultural recognition tied to Burroughs’s original novels.

References

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