Sax Rohmer

Arthur Henry Ward, writing under the pseudonym Sax Rohmer, was an English novelist born in 1883. He initially worked in civil service before dedicating himself to writing, starting with poetry and comedy sketches for music halls. Rohmer is overwhelmingly recognized for creating the iconic criminal mastermind Dr. Fu Manchu, whose adventures first appeared in serial form in 1912. This series, along with other detective characters, brought him significant financial success in the 1920s and 1930s.

Beyond his most famous creation, Rohmer also explored supernatural horror and penned works with philosophical undertones, such as "The Orchard of Tears." He claimed affiliations with esoteric organizations like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Rosicrucians, though the veracity of these claims is debated, with his doctor possibly being his primary link to such circles. Rohmer's career spanned several decades, and he continued writing until his death in 1959. His work, particularly the Fu Manchu series, faced criticism for ethnic stereotyping.

Sax Rohmer, like some of his contemporaries such as Algernon Blackwood and Arthur Machen, asserted his membership in a branch of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. He also made claims regarding connections to the Rosicrucians. However, the authenticity of these affiliations has been questioned. It is suggested that his doctor, Richard Watson Councell, might have been his most substantial link to these mystical organizations. Rohmer also created characters and stories that delved into the supernatural, such as his novel "Brood of the Witch-Queen," which has been described as his masterpiece in that genre. His interest in the occult also extended to basing his mystery-solving magician character, Bazarada, on the famous escapologist Harry Houdini.

Rohmer began his publishing career in 1903 with a short story. He transitioned from writing for music hall performers to focusing on short stories and serials for magazines. His literary influences included Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, and M. P. Shiel. His most significant contribution to literature is the creation of Dr. Fu Manchu, a master criminal whose exploits captivated readers and achieved immense popularity, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s. The first Fu Manchu novel, "The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu," debuted as a serial in 1912. Later in his career, Rohmer introduced the character Sumuru, a female antagonist, which also led to a series of novels and film adaptations. Despite his success, Rohmer was reportedly poor at managing his finances, leading to business difficulties.