Anthony Hope

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Blue plaque in Bedford Square, London
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Blue plaque in Bedford Square, London

Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins, better known as Anthony Hope, (February 9, 1863July 8, 1933) was a British novelist, born in London, and best remembered today for his short novel The Prisoner of Zenda (1894), set in the fictional kingdom of Ruritania, a prequel The Heart of Princess Osra (a collection of short stories set in 18C Ruritania) (1896) and a sequel Rupert of Hentzau (1898). His first novel was A Man of Mark (1890), and one of his most well-known works during his lifetime was The Dolly Dialogues (1894), published in the Westminster Gazette.

After being educated at Marlborough College and Balliol College (where he was President of the Oxford Union), he trained as a lawyer and barrister, being called to the Bar in 1877. He practised as a lawyer until 1894; he started writing full time after Zenda's success, completing many other novels and plays, including Sophy of Kravonia (1906), in a similar vein. He was knighted in recognition of his contribution to British propaganda efforts during World War I.

He published an autobiographical book, Memories and Notes, in 1927.

There is a blue plaque on his house in Bedford Square, London.

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