Capes, Bernard

Bernard Capes, born in 1854, was an English writer who produced a substantial body of work, including over forty volumes of romances, mysteries, poetry, and history, alongside numerous magazine articles. He began his career in journalism and served as editor of the prominent dramatic periodical, The Theatre. His writing output was significant, with multiple novels sometimes published in a single year. Capes achieved notable success in 1897 and 1898 by winning prestigious competitions sponsored by the Chicago Record for his novels "The Mill of Silence" and "The Lake of Wine," respectively. He was also recognized for his ghost stories, which gained renewed attention in the 1970s through anthologist Hugh Lamb. Capes passed away in 1918 during the influenza epidemic. His literary legacy extends to his family, as several of his descendants are also published authors.

Bernard Capes was born in London in 1854 and was one of eleven children. His family had a connection to intellectual pursuits; his elder sister, Harriet, was a published author of children's books, and his uncle, John Moore Capes, was a figure at Oxford University and a novelist. Capes received a Catholic upbringing and education at Beaumont College, though he later disavowed this religious path. This early exposure to a religious environment and his family's literary background may have influenced his later thematic explorations.

Capes was a prolific writer throughout the Victorian era, contributing a diverse range of genres including romances, mysteries, poetry, and historical narratives. His early career involved journalism, and he eventually became the editor of "The Theatre," a respected British dramatic publication. He also contributed to a wide array of popular magazines of the time. His output was so considerable that he sometimes published two or three novels in a single year, even four in 1910. This productivity allowed him to explore various literary styles and subjects.

Among Capes's notable contributions are his ghost stories, which were later brought to the attention of a new audience by anthologist Hugh Lamb. His 1899 story "The Black Reaper" is a notable example, featuring a supernatural depiction of Death. He also penned historical novels, such as "Love Like A Gipsy" (1901), which is set during the American Revolution, and "Bembo: A Tale of Italy," taking place in 15th-century Milan. Capes's significant breakthrough came in 1897 when he secured second prize in a large competition for new authors with "The Mill of Silence." He followed this success by winning the same competition the next year with "The Lake of Wine."