Frank R. Stockton Born in 1834 and died in 1902

A literary figure Stockton was a major literary figure in the United States. Stockton’s body of work fills twenty-three volumes and includes stories, novels, and nonfiction. Yet today, this writer is known primarily for his story, “The Lady, or the Tiger?”

Launching a Career Stockton enjoyed writing during his school days; however, his father wanted him to become a doctor.

Launching a Career But Stockton chose wood engraving as a career. It was a popular way to illustrate stories and articles at the time.

Learn about wood engraving at: wood engravers

Launching a Career Stockton continued to write Some time later he began to publish his short stories. Stockton focused his attention on writing and publishing.

His early works were mainly written for children. In 1867, he published a short story called “Ting-a-Ling,” which he later turned into a book. A fanciful tale about an elf-like character

Ting-a-Ling “Ting-a-Ling” captured the attention of Mary Mapes Dodge, an author and editor of St. Nicholas magazine for children Mary Dodge invited Stockton to join her staff.

St. Nicholas Magazine St. Nicholas was a new type of children’s magazine. Within a few years, it became one of the most successful children’s magazines of its time.

Failing eyesight… In 1878, Stockton left the magazine because of his failing eyesight, but he continued to write. Read more by Frank R. Stockton gutenberg.org

The Story That Created a Stir Within a few years, he published several more books. Stockton’s novels never earned enough attention. In 1882, when he published a short story in Century Magazine. That story was “The Lady, or the Tiger?” The story not only created a stir at the time but for years afterward As well.

The Lady or The Tiger It was later turned into an operetta, a play, a movie, and a recording. The story’s unusual ending created a flurry of letters to the author that continued throughout his life. Robert Browning wrote a poem about the ending and scholars debated the issue, but Stockton kept quiet.