It Makes Sense
There’s also the possibility that if Burroughs did reach out to Mildin, he could have agreed to keep it a secret because Mildin knew that his memoirs revealed the existence of his illegitimate African-based children, which would only complicate his will. But whether he stole the idea or borrowed it, or even came up with it completely on his own, Burroughs didn’t really need help with inspiration.
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The man had been discharged from the US Army in 1897, undertaking a number of jobs, including being a pencil- sharpener salesman, before trying out the “silly” profession of writing adventure and science fiction. Ironically, he became one of the most successful authors ever, writing 80 books, many from his own publishing house, Tarzana.