Eric Rucker Eddison was born in Adel, England, in 1882. His writings include the first complete translation of the Icelandic epic, Egil's Saga; the novels The Worm Oroboros and Stybiorn the Strong; and the trilogy Zimiamvia, including the final book, The Mezentian Gate, which was left unfinished when he died suddenly of a stroke in 1945.