威爾基·柯林斯(Wilkie Collins)，於1824年1月8日生於倫敦，1889年9月23日死在倫敦。父親是個風景畫傢。他12歲時隨父母遷居意大利，三年後迴國，就讀於海伯裏私立寄宿學校，曾在茶葉公司工作，後改學法律，在倫敦林肯法學協會當過律師。1847年，父親死後，他纔開始以寫作為生。第一部作品是《威廉·柯林斯》傳，不久就從事小說創作。一開始成績平平，後來他結識瞭當代文豪狄更斯，成為莫逆之交，並為狄更斯主編的，當時最風行的雜誌經常撰稿。他的長篇小說往往在這本雜誌上先發錶，然後齣單行本。這期間他寫瞭不少小說，大都以偵破犯罪事件為題材，柯林斯即以此種小說蜚聲社會，享譽30餘年，但他作品雖多，而得以流傳後世並得到肯定的僅有《月亮寶石》和成名作《白衣女人》兩部。

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ENDURING LITERATURE ILLUMINATED BY PRACTICAL SCHOLARSHIP One woman's journey through madness, murder, and mistaken identity -- a classic work of Victorian sensationalism. THIS ENRICHED CLASSIC EDITION INCLUDES: A concise introduction that gives readers important background information A chronology of the author's life and work A timeline of significant events that provides the book's historical context An outline of the key themes and plot points to help readers form their own interpretations Detailed explanatory notes Critical analysis including contemporary and modern perspectives on the work Discussion questions to promote lively classroom and book group interaction A list of recommended related books and films to broaden the reader's experience Enriched Classics offer readers affordable editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and insightful commentary. the scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate, understand, and enjoy the world's finest books to their full potential.