Henry James (1843-1916) was an eminent American-born writer, known for his sophisticated prose and in-depth exploration of the consciousness of his characters. He spent the majority of his later life in Europe, and his works often delved into the complexities of the 'international theme'—the interactions between Americans and Europeans. James's fiction is characterized by a focus on internal conflicts and moral dilemmas, set against meticulously depicted social environments. A prolific writer, his oeuvre includes novels, short stories, and essays, with notable works including 'The Portrait of a Lady', 'The Wings of the Dove', and 'The Golden Bowl'. 'The Aspern Papers', published in 1888, exemplifies James's literary preoccupations with issues of privacy, obsession, and the intersecting lives of the past and present. The novella revolves around a literary scholar's ethical quandary over obtaining the private letters of a deceased poet. James's narrative technique, particularly his use of an unreliable narrator in 'The Aspern Papers', shows his innovative approach to storytelling and contributes to his reputation as a forerunner of literary modernism and a master of psychological realism. James's works have been extensively studied for their narrative style and complexity, earning him a place as a key figure in the transition from 19th-century literary traditions to 20th-century literary modernism.