Hector Hugh Munro
Writer
(1870- 1916)
Nick Name: H. H. Munro
Birthday: December 18, 1870
Nationality: British
Died At Age: 45
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Also Known As: Hector Hugh Munro, H. H. Munro
Born In: Sittwe, Burma (Myanmar)
Famous As: Writer
Father: Charles Augustus Munro
Mother: Mary Frances Mercer
Siblings: Ethel Munro
Died On: November 13, 1916
Place Of Death: Beaumont-Hamel, France
More Facts
Hector Hugh Munro, better known by the pen name Saki, was a witty British writer. The inspiration behind his
pen name „Saki‟ is unknown. He is regarded as one of the greatest short story writers and compared to greats
such as O. Henry and Dorothy Parker. Munro was greatly influenced by the writings of Oscar Wilde, Rudyard
Kipling and Lewis Carroll. His stories were initially published in newspapers and later collected into several
volumes. Apart from short stories, Munro also wrote a full-length play, two one-act plays, a historical study, a
short novel etc. He influenced great writers such as A. A. Milne, Noel Coward and P. G. Wodehouse. When he
was in his early 20s, Munro went to Burma (Myanmar) to join the Colonial Burmese Military Police but he had
to return back to England later due to ill-health. Thereafter, he embarked on his career as a journalist. He wrote
for various publications including the Daily Express, the Bystander, The Morning Post and the Outlook
Childhood & Early Life
Hector Hugh Munro was born on December 18, 1870 in Akyab, British Burma, to Charles Augustus Munro and
Mary Frances Mercer.
His father was Inspector General for the Indian Imperial Police, and his mother was the daughter of Rear
Admiral Samuel Mercer. In 1872, when he was just two, his mother left for heavenly abode and his father sent
him and his sister to England, to stay with his grandmother and aunts.
He received his education Pencarwick School in Exmouth and was then send to Bedford School where he
stayed in a hostel. In 1893, Hector joined the Indian Imperial Police and in Burma, but ill-health forced him to
return to England after two years.
At the beginning of World War I, he joined as an ordinary trooper at the 2nd King Edward‟s Horse though at
that time he was already 43 years old and was over age.
He later became a lance sergeant in the 22nd Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers.
Career
He kicked off his writing career as a journalist for newspapers such as Morning Post, Westminster Gazette and
Daily Express. He worked as a journalist for Outlook and Bystander magazines as well.
In 1900, his first book, titled „The Rise of the Russian Empire‟ made its appearance. This was inspired by „The
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire‟ by Edward Gibbon.
During 1902 – 1908, he went to the Balkans, Warsaw and Russia to work as a foreign correspondent for the
Morning Post.
In 1902, he wrote a political sketch, titled „The Women who Never Should‟ followed by two more political
sketches in the same year, titled „The Westminster Alice‟ and „The Not So Stories‟.
Saki was considered to be the master of short stories. In 1904, his short stories, titled „Reginald‟ were
published. This was followed by a series of short stories that were published from 1904-1911 that included
„Reginald‟ in Russia, in 1910 and „The Chronicles of Clovis‟ in 1911.
His first was published in 1912 and was titled „The Unbearable Bassington‟.
In 1913, sometime before the World War I, he wrote a “what if novel”, „When William Came: A Story of London
Under the Hohenzollerns‟.
There are a number of posthumous works in his name which include short stories titled „The Toys of Peace‟ in
1919, „The Square Egg and Other Sketches‟ in 1924.
He had also written a play that was co-authored with Charles Maude and was published in 1924.
In 1926-1927, 8 volumes of “The Works of Saki” were published. In 1930, the Complete Short Stories of Saki
were published.
From 1950 to 2010, a number of Saki‟s works have been published that include “The Miracle Merchant”, a one
act play, “A Shot In The Dark” (a compilation of 15 uncollected stories) and “Improper Stories” in 2010.
Achievements
Saki‟s plays and stories have also been adapted as TV series and plays. In 2007, three of his stories - “The
Storyteller", "The Lumber Room" and "Sredni Vashtar” were showcased in BBC TV production show Who
Killed Mrs De Ropp?
“Saki: The Improper Stories of H. H. Munro” was an eight-part series produced for Granada Television in 1962.
His stories have also been adapted into theatre plays such as „Saki Shorts‟, „The Playboy of the Week-End
World‟, „Miracles At Short Notice‟ and „Wolves At The Window‟.
Personal Life & Legacy
Munro had three siblings and after their mother‟s death they all stayed with their grandmother in England.
He was killed during the World War I by a German sniper on the Western Front.
Munro was showed respect on Pier and Face 8C 9A and 16A of the Thiepval Memorial.
There is no grave of Munro.
Munro‟s flat serves as a historical marker as it was marked blue plaque by the English Heritage in 2003.
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