Richard Dalby

Richard Dalby (1949-2017) was a British literary scholar, editor, and bibliographer who specialized in supernatural, horror, and ghost story fiction. His meticulous research and anthology work helped preserve and bring attention to many forgotten Victorian and Edwardian ghost stories. Dalby compiled and edited numerous influential supernatural fiction anthologies, including The Virago Book of Ghost Stories and The Sorceress in Stained Glass. He was particularly noted for his exhaustive knowledge of women writers of supernatural fiction and his efforts to republish their overlooked works. Throughout his career, Dalby maintained an extensive private library of rare supernatural fiction and served as a consultant to major publishing houses and libraries. His bibliographic work provided crucial documentation of ghost story authors and publications from the 19th and early 20th centuries. His scholarship extended to writing introductions and biographical essays about supernatural fiction authors, with a particular focus on documenting the lives and works of M.R. James, E.F. Benson, and Marjorie Bowen. Dalby's research materials and portions of his library were later acquired by academic institutions, ensuring their preservation for future scholars.

Readers praise Dalby's editorial skills in curating ghost story collections. His anthologies receive credit for introducing readers to lesser-known Victorian and Edwardian authors, particularly women writers. What readers liked: - Detailed author biographies and historical context in anthology introductions - Selection of rare and hard-to-find stories - Mix of famous and obscure authors in collections - Focus on female writers of supernatural fiction What readers disliked: - Some found his academic writing style too dry - Occasional criticism of repetitive story selections across different anthologies - Limited availability of many collections now out of print Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: The Virago Book of Ghost Stories averages 3.8/5 from 412 ratings - Amazon: Anthologies typically rate 4-4.5/5 stars, but with small sample sizes (10-30 reviews each) - Most reader comments focus on the stories themselves rather than Dalby's editorial work Note: Limited online reader reviews available as many of his works were published before widespread internet adoption.

The Virago Book of Ghost Stories (1987) - A compilation of 34 ghost stories written by female authors from the Victorian era to modern times.

The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories (1990) - An anthology of 42 supernatural tales spanning from 1880 to 1990.

Mystery Maker: A Journal of Intrigue (1991) - A collection of mystery and suspense stories from various authors curated and edited by Dalby.

Tales of Witchcraft (1991) - An anthology gathering historical and contemporary stories focused on witches and witchcraft.

Dracula's Brood (1987) - A collection of 23 vampire stories published between 1867 and 1940.

The Sorceress in Stained Glass (1993) - A compilation of ghost and supernatural stories from A.C. Benson.

Crime for Christmas (1991) - An anthology of mystery stories set during the Christmas season.

Ghosts and Scholars (1987) - A collection focusing on ghost stories in the M.R. James tradition.

William Hope Hodgson: The Haunted Pampero (1991) - A compilation of previously uncollected sea-horror stories by William Hope Hodgson.

The Best Ghost Stories of H. Russell Wakefield (1978) - A curated selection of supernatural tales from H. Russell Wakefield.

M.R. James wrote ghost stories in the early 20th century focusing on antiquarians and scholars who encounter supernatural forces. His stories share Dalby's interest in historical settings and methodical building of tension.

Dorothy Macardle produced Irish ghost stories and supernatural tales in the 1940s with an emphasis on haunted houses and psychological horror. Her work demonstrates similar attention to atmosphere and domestic settings that appear in Dalby's collections.

A.M. Burrage created ghost stories in the 1920s-30s that blend traditional horror elements with touches of dark humor. His story structures and characterizations parallel Dalby's approach to supernatural fiction.

L.T.C. Rolt wrote tales about industrial and technological hauntings in the mid-20th century. His work shares Dalby's interest in how supernatural elements intersect with different historical periods and settings.

Lady Cynthia Asquith edited ghost story anthologies and wrote her own supernatural fiction in the 1920s and 1930s. Her story selections and writing style reflect similar tastes to Dalby's in terms of traditional ghost story elements and period settings.