Edgar Rice Burroughs was a renowned American writer, celebrated for his extensive contributions to the adventure, science fiction, and fantasy genres. He is best known for creating the iconic characters Tarzan and John Carter. Tarzan, who appeared in a series of twenty-four books, and John Carter, who was featured in a series of eleven books, remain cultural icons. Additionally, Burroughs crafted the Pellucidar series, the Amtor series, and the Caspak trilogy.

Born in Chicago, Illinois as the son of a businessman, Burroughs led a life filled with varied experiences. During the Chicago influenza epidemic in 1891, he spent time on his brothers' ranch in Idaho. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts and the Michigan Military Academy, graduating in 1895. After failing the West Point entrance exam, he joined the 7th U.S. Cavalry in Fort Grant, Arizona Territory but was discharged in 1897 due to a heart condition.

He worked odd jobs across Idaho before returning to Chicago in 1899 to work at his father's firm. Burroughs married Emma Centennia Hulbert in 1900. After several low-wage jobs, he began writing fiction in 1911, inspired by pulp fiction magazines. His first story, "Under the Moons of Mars," was serialized in 1912, and his first novel, Tarzan of the Apes, was published the same year.

In 1919, Burroughs purchased a ranch in California, naming it "Tarzana" after his famous creation. This area later became known as Tarzana, Los Angeles. He established Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. in 1923 to publish his works. After divorcing Emma in 1934, Burroughs married Florence Gilbert Dearholt in 1935. During World War II, he served as a war correspondent in Hawaii. After divorcing his second wife in 1942, Burroughs settled in Encino, California, where he died of a heart attack in March 1950. Throughout his career, he wrote nearly seventy novels.

Burroughs's work reflected his controversial support of eugenics and scientific racism, themes evident in both his fiction and nonfiction.