Haggard, Sir Henry Rider (1856-1925). British novelist. He was born at Bradenham, Norfolk, June 22, l 1856, and educated at Ipswich grammar school. He held official posts in S. Africa, 1875-79, and was then called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn.

A first work, Cetewayo and His White Neighbours, was published in 1882. South Africa figures prominently in his novels, the success of which is due to Haggard's exceptional narrative and descriptive powers.

In addition to King Solomon's Mines, 1885, his most successful adventure story, and Jess, 1887, perhaps his best work, his novels include Dawn, 1884, She, 1887, in which mystery is blended with adventure; Allan Quatermain., 1887; Colonel Quaritch, V.C,, 1888; Cleopatra, 1889; Allan's Wife, 1890; Nada the Lily, 1892; Montezuma's Daughter, 1893; The Heart of the World, 1896; Ayesha, 1905, Fair Margaret, 1907, Red Eve, 1911. In 1891 with Andrew Lang, he wrote The World's Desire.

Haggard, who was knighted in 1912, became prominent as a practical farmer and an agricultural economist. His journeyings through England in 1896-98 to investigate rural conditions resulted in a valuable work, Rural England, 1902. After the First Great War he visited every part of the British Empire in connection with settlement of ex-servicemen.

He died May 14, 1925.