Robert Cromie (1856–1907) was a Belfast journalist and novelist. He was the third son of Dr. Cromie of Clough and was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. Cromie worked for the Ulster Bank in various parts of Ireland before becoming a full-time writer.[1]
His first book, For England's Sake, was published in 1889.
A Plunge into Space, a science fiction novel, was published in 1890. This work predates H.G. Wells' The First Men in the Moon by some 10 years, but contains a number of similarities. Cromie pointed these out in letters to the Academy journal.[2][3] Cromie's 1895 novel The Crack of Doom was his most successful and contains the first description of an atomic explosion.[4]
Cromie's other great passion was golf. He was a member of the Ormeau Golf Club and the captain in 1898.
Robert Cromie died in his rooms at 95 South Parade Belfast in April 1907.[5][6]
For England's Sake Frederick Warne & Co.: London & New York, 1889.
A Plunge into Space. London & New York: Frederick Warne & Co, 1890.
The Crack of Doom London: Digby, Long & Co, 1895.
The Next Crusade. London: Hutchinson & Co, 1896.
The King's Oak, and Other Stories. London; R. Aickin & Co. Belfast: Geo. Newnes, 1897.
The Lost Liner. Geo. Newnes; R. Aickin & Co.: London; Belfast, 1899.
Kitty's Victoria Cross. London & New York: Frederick Warne & Co, 1901.
A New Messiah. A Novel. London: Digby, Long & Co, 1901.
The Shadow of the Cross London: Ward, Lock & Co, 1902.
El Dorado London: Ward, Lock & Co, 1904.