Victor Rousseau

Victor Rousseau Emanuel, born Avigdor Rousseau Emanuel in January 1879, led an eclectic and prolific writing career that mirrored the evolution of popular literature in the first half of the 20th century. Emanuel was born in England, yet he was as much an American writer as he was British, splitting his career between the two countries as he pursued a wide-ranging body of work that spanned from novels to pulpy magazine stories. His early literary pursuits began in Great Britain, but by the 1910s, he had found a home in the United States, where the burgeoning pulp fiction market allowed him to experiment and flourish.

Initially, Emanuel wrote under several pen names—most notably Victor Rousseau, H. M. Egbert, and V. R. Emanuel. The choice to use pseudonyms wasn’t merely for mystery; it allowed him the freedom to dip into different genres without being typecast. His early works included novels and serialized stories, often with a scientific or supernatural twist, that captivated readers and tapped into the preoccupations of the era: adventure, scientific discovery, and the thrill of the unknown.

By the 1920s and 1930s, Emanuel had firmly established himself in the world of pulp fiction—a genre that was popular for its sensationalism, dramatic plots, and memorable heroes. During this period, his work appeared in the same magazines that popularized American writers like H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Under his own name, Emanuel wrote dozens of these sensational stories that filled the pages of pulp magazines, which were a staple of the time. His plots ranged from wild science fiction to hard-edged adventure, and he embraced the fast-paced, imaginative storytelling style that pulp fiction demanded.

One of his more unexpected pen names was Lew Merrill, under which he ventured into racier, sometimes controversial narratives. This was the era of spicy pulps—magazines known for stories with provocative themes, considered risqué by the standards of the time. Emanuel’s work as Lew Merrill showcased his adaptability and willingness to push boundaries, and it earned him a reputation as a writer who could produce gripping, emotionally charged tales across a variety of themes.

In his later years, Emanuel's popularity waned as the golden age of pulp fiction drew to a close, but his influence on the genre lingered. He is remembered for his vivid storytelling and ability to churn out plot-driven, entertaining works that captured the spirit of a rapidly changing world. Emanuel passed away on April 6, 1960, in Tarrytown, New York, leaving behind a legacy of versatility in a career that bridged serious literature and the unabashed excitement of pulp fiction.