Archibald Clavering Gunter, a renowned playwright and prolific self-published novelist, was born on October 25, 1847. He is widely recognized today for authoring the novel that served as the basis for the film A Florida Enchantment, as well as his significant contribution to popularizing the poem "Casey at the Bat".
Gunter's literary career was marked by his innovative approach to publishing, as he founded the Home Publishing Company, which released his own works, including Gunter's Magazine (1905-1907),a periodical featuring short fiction and serialized novels by himself and other notable authors. Additionally, his company published novels by other prominent writers, such as Richard Henry Savage and Gilbert Parker.
One of Gunter's most successful novels, Mr. Barnes of New York, allegedly sold an impressive three million copies, although it is likely that the sales figures were somewhat exaggerated. Nonetheless, the book was undoubtedly a commercial success, and its popularity was further solidified when it was adapted into a film twice, first in 1914 and again in 1922.
Throughout his career, Gunter's works were translated into multiple languages and adapted into films on several occasions, cementing his status as a prominent figure in the literary world.
