Miss or Mrs.?

William Wilkie Collins, an influential English novelist and playwright, is renowned for pioneering the detective genre with his work, particularly in The Moonstone. Born to a family of artists, he spent formative years in Italy and France, which fostered his language skills. Initially a tea merchant, his literary career began with Antonina, leading to a significant friendship with Charles Dickens, who mentored him. Collins contributed to Dickens's journals and collaborated on various works, shaping the literary landscape of his time.