Nelson Lee (detective)

The 1890s: The solo years Nelson Lee made his debut in A Dead Man’s Secret in The Halfpenny Marvel #46, on 19 September 1894. Tales from this era include: The 1900s: The Great Serials Towards the end of the 19th century Staniforth had a falling out with his editor and switched to publishing in other story papers. The era of the great Nelson Lee serials began with Birds of Prey a 20-part serial that ran in The Boys' Friend from 27 July – 7 December 1901. It was followed by The Silver Dwarf (7 Dec 1901 to 15 March 1902) and The Missing Heir (29 March – 9 August 1902). Staniforth listed these as his favourite Nelson Lee tales. Some of the popular Nelson Lee serials from this era include: Not to be outdone, Brooks introduced Eileen Dare the female detective in ''Nelson Lee's Lady Assistant'' (1916). She appeared with Lee in 14 adventures. Brooks was instrumental in launching the second phase of Lee's career. In "Nipper at St. Frank's," (Nelson Lee Library #112, 28 July 1917,) Lee and Nipper while fleeing from a Chinese Triad hide out at St. Frank's, a "venerable public school" in the Bellton area of Sussex. When the case at last was solved, Lee joined the faculty as headmaster and Nipper enrolled as a student. The two remained there for the next sixteen years solving mysteries and having adventures around the world, often with friends and Nipper's classmates. The Sexton Blake Library: 1915-1921 A short story. In these two tales, Nelson Lee and Nipper team up with Sexton Blake and Tinker. The Pluck Library: 1916 The editor introduced the Nelson Lee tale with this announcement: "Following on numerous requests from readers of The Nelson Lee Library for stories of Nelson Lee in other publications, I have pleasure in presenting this week, in Pluck, No. 1 of what I hope will prove the finest series of detective storties ever published featuring Nelson Lee. The Detective Library: 1919-1921 The stories were predominantly written by Scott and Edwy Searles Brooks. The Prairie Library: 1920 The stories were written by George Hamilton Teed. ==Lee's associates==

Aside from Nipper, there have ben numerous supporting played in the Lee canon. In the early years of his career Lee worked intermittently with the French detective Jean Moreau. Lord Dorrimore or Dorrie, a somewhat eccentric millionaire, was one of the most popular characters to appear in the Nelson Lee Library. He often travelled with Umlosi, a mighty African warrior. The two made their first appearance in The Ivory Seekers and reappeared throughout Lee's tenure at St. Franks. Lee collaborated with Sexton Blake on a number of occasions. The two worked together on The Winged Terror, penned by Maxwell Scott, a tale that ran in issues #329-336 of ''Boys' Herald in 1909. Later other authors paired the two in the pages of the Union Jack. In Double Harness, (Union Jack #683) written by Robert Murray Graydon saw the two working against each other to solve a case, while Waldo the Wonder Man, (Union Jack'' #794,) saw them team up to capture one of Blake's most beloved foes. ==Lee's enemies==

Nelson Lee had a fine rogues gallery of supervillains. Some of the most famous included: Jim the Penman (created by Edwy Searles Brooks), was the nickname of Douglas James Sutcliffe, a solicitor turned forger and a master of disguise. One never knew where he was going to turn up next and his skill with the pen was only equalled by his skill at disguise, his audacity and brilliant sang froid, his coolness in emergency and his never-ceasing efforts to pull off some spectacular coup. Professor Cyrus Zingrave (created by Edwy Searles Brooks), the Monster of Moat Hollow, a Napoleon of Crime. The Black Wolf (created by George Hamilton Teed) Lee's greatest female opponent. Dr. Mortimer Crane (created by George Hamilton Teed) a brain and nerve specialist whose talents had been diverted to wrongdoing. He was a master of disguise and one of Lee's most sinister and cunning opponents. He fought criminal organisations like the League of the Green Triangle, the Circle of Terror and the Fu Chang Tong and also matched wits against legendary Sexton Blake foes Zenith the Albino (created by Anthony Skene), Dr. Huxton Rymer (created by George Hamilton Teed), and deadly duo Count Ivor Carlac and Professor Francis Kew created by Andrew Murray. Howard Baker collections • The Barring-Out at St. Frank's! by Edwy Searles Brooks • Expelled Incorporating The Secret Societies of St. Frank's & The 'Death' of Walter Church by Edwy Searles Brooks • The Haunted School Incorporating the entire Ezra Quirke series by Edwy Searles Brooks New collections • Sexton Blake: The Early Years (2020) features the first 5 Nelson Lee cases by Maxwell Scott, includes Christmas Clues the first Nelson Lee/Sexton Blake co-appearance. • Sexton Blake: Friends and Allies (2020) features In Double Harness by Robert Murray Graydon • Sexton Blake & Nelson Lee (2021) by Edwy Searles Brooks • Sexton Blake: The Claire Delisle Files (2022) features The Valley of Fear by Francis Addington Symonds • Nelson Lee: The Black Wolf Files (2020) by George Hamilton Teed • Nelson Lee: The Scott Files (2021) by Maxwell Scott. Includes Birds of Prey, The Silver Dwarf, and The Missing Heir. ==References==