Arthur Morrison

Arthur Morrison (1863–1945) was an English writer and journalist, best known for his realistic novels and stories about working-class life in London's East End. Born on November 1, 1863, in Poplar, in the East End of London, Morrison's firsthand experience of urban poverty informed his writing, bringing an authenticity that distinguished him among his contemporaries. His seminal work, 'A Child of the Jago' (1896), remains a pivotal piece of literature that delves into the lives of the Victorian underclass, exposing the bleak and often brutal realities of slum life. The novel, which remains a key feature in Modern Classics Series, illuminates the social concerns of the period and exemplifies the author's commitment to social realism. Morrison's narrative approach is characterized by a stark, unsentimental style that reflected the harsh conditions he depicted. Aside from his contributions to the literary world, Morrison was also a noted collector and connoisseur of Japanese art. His literary works extend beyond the realm of social critique, venturing into the genre of detective fiction with his creation of Martin Hewitt, a character that offered an alternative to the famous Sherlock Holmes. However, it is the insightful representation of a marginalized society in 'A Child of the Jago' that cements Morrison's legacy as an important literary figure who endeavored to cast a light on the darker corners of the human experience at the turn of the 20th century.