Sir Henry Rider Haggard, KBE, was an English writer known for his adventurous novels set in exotic locations, predominantly Africa. He was a pioneer of the Lost World literary genre and was involved in land reform throughout the British Empire. His stories, situated at the lighter end of Victorian literature, include the eighteen Allan Quatermain stories, beginning with King Solomon's Mines, which continue to be popular and influential. Haggard was honored as a Knight Bachelor in 1912 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1919. He also stood unsuccessfully for Parliament as a Conservative candidate for the Eastern division of Norfolk.