Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, born in Chicago, Illinois on September 1, 1875. He is best known for his creation of the iconic jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic John Carter of Mars, although his works span across various genres including adventure, fantasy, science fiction, western, and romance novels. Burroughs' interest in writing began when he was stationed in Arizona as a soldier, and he started writing fiction with the ambition of at least equaling the quality of the pulp fiction magazine writers of his time.
The Burroughs family had a rich history in North America, with ancestors who participated in the American Revolution and settled in Virginia during the early colonial period. Edgar's paternal grandfather, Major George Tyler Burroughs, was a Civil War veteran and owned a business. His mother was Mary Evaline, and he was their fourth son. Edgar's middle name, Rice, was inherited from his paternal grandmother, Mary Rice Burroughs. The Burroughs family, like many of their contemporaries, originated in England and settled in Massachusetts during the early colonial period. They were descendants of Edmund Rice, an English Puritan who moved to Massachusetts during the early colonial era.
Edgar Rice Burroughs received his education in several schools around the Chicago area. In 1891, when the influenza epidemic hit Chicago, he stayed with his brother for several months. He attended the Michigan Military Academy and Philips Academy in Massachusetts, eventually graduating in 1895. Despite his academic background, Burroughs failed the United States Military Academy's exam in West Point and served as a soldier in the 7th U.S. Cavalry at Fort Grant in the Arizona Territory. In 1897, he was discharged from his military service due to a heart-related problem, which made him ineligible to serve.