Saki, the pen name of Hector Hugh Munro, was a British writer known for his witty, mischievous and sometimes macabre stories that satirize Edwardian society and culture. Born on December 18, 1870, in Akyab, British Burma, Munro was raised in Pilton, England, by his aunts after his mother's death. His upbringing is reflected in his literature, where aunts often figure as formidable characters. Saki's literary career was predominantly as a short story writer, journalist, and as a foreign correspondent for The Morning Post. His writing is characterized by a blend of humorous, outrageous, and sinister elements, often highlighting the absurdities and hypocrisies of aristocratic life. Notable collections of his work include 'Reginald' (1904), 'Reginald in Russia' (1910), and 'The Chronicles of Clovis' (1911), which all display his mastery of the short story form and his unique and innovative literary style. Though he wrote a novel, 'The Unbearable Bassington' (1912), it is for his short stories that Saki is best remembered, with 'The Open Window' and 'The Schartz-Metterklume Method' being among the most famous. Saki's career was cut short by World War I, where he enlisted and was eventually killed in action in 1916. His posthumous collection, 'The Toys of Peace, and Other Papers' (1919), further cemented his legacy as a sublime satirist. 'Saki: Collected Works' offers readers the intrigue of exploring the broad expanse of his literary achievements.