Francis Henry Atkins

Background

Francis Atkins was born on July 6, 1847 in Wales, United Kingdom.

Education

It is definitely known that Francis Atkins studied engineering but the exact place remains unknown.

Career

Under various pseudonyms, Atkins wrote for pulp magazines aimed at young male readers at the turn of the twentieth century. As Frank Aubrey, he issued a series known as the “Monella” novels, named for a character called Monella. The “Monella” series includes "The Devil-Tree of El Dorado: A Romance of British Guiana", "A Queen of Atlantis: A Romance of the Caribbean", and "King of the Dead: A Weird Romance."

In these books, Atkins depicted exotic locations and forgotten civilizations. Each novel takes place in a very different setting from its predecessor and recounts the adventures of a British man and his companion. More recent critics found these two main characters and other depictions somewhat stereotypical. For example, Karren C. Edwards, writing in "Twentieth-Century Science-Fiction Writers", noted that Atkins depicts the books’ female characters as love interests who serve few other functions. Atkins’s plots often deal with natural disasters, wild animals, and magical creatures in horrifying situations — characteristics that allow his works to fit into the horror genre of the later twentieth century.

Little is known about Aubrey/Atkins. He was involved in a scandal at the turn of the century and sentenced to nine months imprisonment for obtaining money by deception. After leaving prison he dropped the name Frank Aubrey and – in his early 60s, following a three-year hiatus – began writing as Fenton Ash. Publisher's files indicate that his son, Frank Howard Atkins Jr. – who wrote many popular nature stories – also used this name, perhaps in collaboration.

Atkins wrote "A Trip to Mars" under the pseudonym Fenton Ash and based the novel on his short story titled “A King of Mars.” "A Trip to Mars" depicts a strange world where aliens resemble humans and the marvels of space travel are realized. Critics indicated that this novel may be considered a predecessor to the modern science fiction novel. Karren C. Edwards commented that although some aspects of Atkins’s novels are “outdated”, his “books are still interesting reading.” The author died on October 21, 1927.

Achievements

• Francis Henry Atkins is remembered today for his imaginative fiction, including "A Trip to Mars", "The Temple of Fire; or, The Mysterious Island", and "A Studio Mystery."

Works

More photos

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  • The Black Opal (Serapis Classics) eBook: Francis Atkins: Books
  • A Queen of Atlantis (Serapis Classics) eBook: Francis Atkins: Books
  • The devil-tree of El Dorado a novel 1897

Connections

Francis's son was writer Frank Howard Atkins.

Son:

Frank Howard Atkins