Marsh, Richard (writer)

Richard Marsh (1857-1915) was born Richard Bernard Heldmann.  He was one of the most popular and prolific writers of the late Victorian and early Edwardian age, producing more than 60 popular novels as well as short stories and several plays. His most popular novel, The Beetle: A Mystery (1897) was published in the same year as Bram Stoker’s Dracula and initially outsold it six times over. His work covers Gothic, crime, humour and romance genres and his stories respond to issues of crime, gender and empire.

He began his career under his birth name but was arrested in 1884 for forging cheques. He did this during 1883 while moving between places in France and Britain. He was sentenced to eighteen months hard labour. When he was released, he adopted the pseudonym Richard Marsh (Marsh from his mother’s maiden name). He died as a result of issues with his heart in 1915.

The collection contains manuscripts and typescripts of his short stories and plays.

More information

• A full description is available on our online database.
• A handlist for the whole collection is available here.
• See also a list of other writers’ and artists’ archives here.
• See also the Location Register of 20th Century English Literary Manuscripts and Letters for Richard Marsh material held at other archives.