English horror and fantasy writer who published his most famous ghost story collection, Incredible Adventures, in 1914. His most famous individual stories include "The Willows" and "The Wendigo"; his novels include The Extra Day and The Promise of Air.
Before becoming a full-time writer, he worked several odd jobs, including bartender, newspaper reporter, and model.
He published a 1923 autobiography entitled Episodes Before Thirty.
He grew up in Shooter's Hill, Kent, where his father worked for the local post office.
He and Peter Straub both wrote works of horror fiction.