Well, there's M. R. James as I mentioned before. His stories usually had a scholarly touch as he was an academic himself. Then there was Algernon Blackwood. His works were full of strange and otherworldly elements. He had a unique way of creating a sense of the numinous in his ghost stories. And of course, Edith Nesbit also wrote some ghost stories. She was known more for her children's literature, but her ghost stories had a certain charm and often a touch of social commentary.
Well, there were several well - known authors. M. R. James, for example, was highly regarded for his classic ghost stories. His use of detail and his ability to create a sense of dread made his stories stand out. Sheridan Le Fanu was another great author. His works like 'Carmilla' are well - known in the genre. He had a talent for creating complex characters within his spooky tales. Also, Arthur Conan Doyle, mainly known for his Sherlock Holmes stories, also wrote some ghost stories during this period. His scientific mind added an interesting twist to the traditional ghost story.
One common theme is the idea of the past haunting the present. In Victorian and Edwardian times, there was a great deal of change, and ghost stories often reflected the unease about leaving behind old ways. Another theme is the moral lesson. Ghosts might appear to punish the wicked or warn the living about immoral behavior. Also, the use of old, spooky settings like abandoned mansions or graveyards was very common.
It's important to note that much of this literature was not celebrated openly. But there were likely individuals who had a fascination with exploring the more risqué side of human relationships through writing during that time. While we may not have a long list of named authors, the existence of these novels shows that there were people willing to write about such topics, albeit in a very covert way.
Charles Dickens was a very notable one. His works like 'David Copperfield' and 'Great Expectations' were widely read. Another was Charlotte Bronte, known for 'Jane Eyre'. Thomas Hardy was also significant with novels such as 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' that explored rural life and social change in the Victorian era.
There were some authors who dabbled in exploring sexual themes within the Victorian context. One was Thomas Hardy. His works often delved into complex relationships and had undertones related to sexual desires and the restrictions society placed on them.
One common theme is the idea of the past haunting the present. In these stories, often something from the Victorian or Edwardian era's past, like an old family secret or a wrong done long ago, comes back as a ghost. Another theme is the use of old, large, and often spooky settings such as big old mansions or abandoned asylums. These settings add to the atmosphere of mystery and fear. Also, the concept of the supernatural interfering with the normal, everyday lives of the characters was very popular.
Algernon Blackwood also wrote some great Edwardian ghost stories. His stories often have a strong sense of the unknown and the power of nature in relation to the supernatural. He was able to create a very eerie atmosphere in his works.
M. R. James was a very well - known author of such stories. His works were known for their chilling and often scholarly approach to the supernatural.
M. R. James was a very famous one. His ghost stories were known for their atmosphere and the way he created a sense of dread. Another was Sheridan Le Fanu. His works often had complex characters and a touch of the macabre in the ghostly elements.
M. R. James was a well - known author of Victorian Era ghost stories. His works were known for their psychological horror.