H. Rider Haggard, KBE 1856 - 1925) was an English writer, largely of adventure fiction, but also of non-fiction. The eighth child of a Norfolk barrister and squire, through family connections he gained employment with Sir Henry Bulwer during the latter's service as lieutenant-governor of Natal, South Africa. Rider Haggard travelled to southern Africa in 1875 and remained in the country for six years, during which time he served as Master of the High Court of the Transvaal and an adjutant of the Pretoria Horse. Rider Haggard's time in Africa proved inspirational for him, and while still in Natal he wrote two articles for The Gentleman's Magazine describing his experiences. He returned to Britain in 1881 and was called to the bar; while studying he wrote his first book, Cetywayo and His White Neighbours, a critical examination of Britain's policies in South Africa. 2] Two years later he published his first work of fiction, Dawn. In 1885 he wrote one of his most popular novels