A visionary storyteller of epic imagination, Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) was born on this day in Chicago, Illinois. The son of a Civil War Union Major, Burroughs embraced adventure through the written word, escaping a series of menial jobs to create some of the most iconic characters in literary history.

From the red deserts of Mars to the green jungles of Africa, he authored more than 90 novels. He introduced readers to John Carter of Mars, Carson of Venus, David Innes of the Inner World, and of course, Tarzan—the orphaned son of English nobility raised by apes.

He once joked, “I write to escape ... to escape poverty,” but what he created was far richer: a universe of myth and meaning. “There is a vast difference between seeing life and living life,” he wrote, encouraging readers to dream beyond limits.

Tarzan of the Apes (1914) launched a franchise of 25 books and numerous films. The 1932 film starring Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan brought international acclaim.

Burroughs' boldness sparked countless imaginations. Jane Goodall, Ronald Reagan, and George Lucas were all influenced by his stories. As Ray Bradbury observed, “Edgar Rice Burroughs has probably changed more destinies than any other writer in American history.”

He was honored among the Top 100 Writers of the 20th Century. Click to explore the rest.