The master of the magicians

Published in 1890 by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, The Master of the Magicians represents a notable collaboration between Elizabeth Stuart Phelps and her husband, Herbert Dickinson Ward. The novel is a fictionalized retelling of the biblical narrative of Daniel in Babylon. It emerged during a period when Phelps was already established as a prominent literary figure, known for her social commentary and interest in the supernatural, which added a distinctive, atmospheric quality to this historical romance.

The design and thematic execution reflect the late nineteenth-century fascination with Orientalism and biblical history, a popular genre in American literature at the time. By blending historical research with the speculative flair characteristic of Phelps's writing, the authors aimed to bring a classical narrative into a more accessible, dramatic format for a contemporary audience. Upon its release, the work was received as a serious endeavor, valued for its earnest tone and its attempt to humanize figures from the ancient world through detailed descriptive prose.