Wilkie Collins was born on January 8th, 1824 at 11 New Cavendish Street in Marylebone, London. A novelist, playwright and author of short stories, William Wilkie Collins was a popular figure in Victorian literature which was further enhanced by his charm and flamboyant lifestyle. He was a friend and collaborator of Charles Dickens. His own talents outshone most other literary figures and he is credited with the introduction of the modern detective story with 'The Woman In White'. Other achievements were 'The Moonstone', 'All Year Round' and 'Amadale'. In all Wilkie Collins wrote some 30 novels, 14 plays, over 60 short stories and at least 100 nonfiction essays. He died from a paralytic stroke on September 23rd, 1889, at 82 Wimpole Street, and was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery in West London.