Saki was the nom de plume of Hector Hugh Munro, although he died young (in the First World War) is well-known particularly for his short stories. These are entertaining and satirical, casting a wry look at Edwardian British life. His style most resembles Oscar Wilde and Kipling among his predecessors, and he in turn influenced Wodehouse and Coward. There is a delightful touch of mischief in many of the stories which are like small gems, many-faceted yet tiny

His short stories were first published in newspapers, and later collected. He also wrote a few plays and a novel The Unbearable Bassington and When William Came: A Story of London under the Hohenzollerns picturing a future German invasion of Britain.

When war was declared though Munro was over the age of conscription, he volunteered to fight. Rothay Reynolds in an appreciation of Munro written for a posthumous collection quoted the officer in command of the 22nd Royal Fusiliers (Saki’s regiment):

Poor Saki! What an admiration we all had for him, I always quoted him as one of the heroes of the war. I saw daily the appalling discomforts he so cheerfully endured. He flatly refused to take a commission or in any way to allow me to try to make him more comfortable. General Vaughan told him that a brain like his was wasted as a private soldier. He just smiled. He was absolutely splendid. What courage! The men simply loved him.