Signs and Wonders

John Davys Beresford (1873-1947) was an English writer now remembered for his early science fiction works and short stories in the horror and ghost genres. He was a great admirer of H G Wells and wrote the first critical study of Wells in 1915. His writing career began as a dramatist and journalist and in early adulthood he broke away from his clergyman father's views and became an agnostic. He held a prominent place in Edwardian literary London and also spent time away from the metropolis, particularly in Cornwall where D H Lawrence made an extended stay at his Porthcothan cottage. In later life Beresford abandoned his agnosticism, describing himself as a Theosophist and pacifist, and he also took an interest in psychology. He contributed to numerous publications, writing book reviews for the Manchester Guardian, and articles for the New Statesman, Spectator, Westminster Gazette amongst others. This collection of stories was first published in 1921.