M. R. James was an English author and medieval scholar, best known for his ghost stories. Born on August 1, 1862, he served as the provost of King's College, Cambridge and was a prominent figure in the field of antiquarian studies. His writing style is characterized by a focus on atmosphere and subtle horror, often set in historical contexts. James published several collections of ghost stories, with "Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad" and "A Warning to the Curious" being among the most famous. His influence on the horror genre is significant, inspiring later writers and filmmakers, including Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King.