# Gaston Leroux

> French author and journalist (1868–1927)

**Wikidata**: [Q298827](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q298827)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaston_Leroux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gaston-leroux

## Summary
Gaston Leroux (1868–1927) was a French author, journalist, novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. He is best known for writing the 1910 gothic novel *The Phantom of the Opera* and for his influential works in the crime novel genre. 

## Biography
- **Born:** May 6, 1868
- **Died:** April 15, 1927
- **Nationality:** France 
- **Education:** Attended an educational institution cataloged as Q20749406.
- **Known for:** Writing *The Phantom of the Opera* and pioneering early detective fiction.
- **Employer(s):** Worked professionally as a journalist.
- **Field(s):** Literature, journalism, law, screenwriting, and playwriting.

## Contributions
Gaston Leroux authored several notable novels that left a lasting mark on French literature and mystery genres. His published works include *The Phantom of the Opera* (1910), *The Mystery of the Yellow Room*, and *The Perfume of the Lady in Black* (1908). Beyond novels, he contributed to the performing arts as a screenwriter and playwright. 

Throughout his literary career, he developed iconic characters, most notably:
- **Christine Daaé:** A Swedish singer and violinist who serves as a central character in *The Phantom of the Opera*.
- **Erik:** The complex French titular character of *The Phantom of the Opera*.
- **Joseph Rouletabille:** A fictional French character featured in Leroux's detective mysteries.

## FAQs
**What were Gaston Leroux's primary occupations?**
Leroux was a multi-disciplinary professional. While best known as a writer and novelist, he also worked extensively as a journalist, screenwriter, and playwright, and he had a background as a lawyer.

**What are Gaston Leroux's most famous written works?**
His most renowned publication is the 1910 novel *The Phantom of the Opera*. He is also highly regarded in the mystery genre for his crime novels *The Mystery of the Yellow Room* and *The Perfume of the Lady in Black* (1908).

**Did Gaston Leroux receive any major awards?**
Yes, Leroux was awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour, which is the first rank of the prestigious French Legion of Honour.

**Where is Gaston Leroux buried?**
He is interred at the Leroux family grave located at the Cimetière du Château in Nice, France.

## Why They Matter
Gaston Leroux significantly impacted both gothic and detective fiction. By writing *The Phantom of the Opera*, he created a foundational work of gothic literature that introduced legendary characters like Erik and Christine Daaé to the world, inspiring countless stage and film adaptations. In the realm of mystery, his locked-room mystery *The Mystery of the Yellow Room* remains a highly influential classic in the crime novel genre, helping to shape modern detective storytelling. 

## Notable For
- Authoring the foundational 1910 gothic text *The Phantom of the Opera*.
- Writing pioneering crime novels such as *The Mystery of the Yellow Room* and *The Perfume of the Lady in Black*.
- Creating the iconic fictional characters Erik (The Phantom) and Christine Daaé.
- Establishing the character Joseph Rouletabille, a noted French fictional detective.
- Receiving the Knight of the Legion of Honour for his contributions.
- Maintaining a diverse professional career spanning journalism, law, screenwriting, and playwriting.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Gaston Alfred Louis Le Roux (often recorded as Gaston Louis Alfred Leroux) was born on May 6, 1868. A native of France, he pursued an education cataloged historically under the entity Q20749406. Before finding fame in the literary world, Leroux established a professional foundation in the legal field, working as a lawyer. 

### Literary Career and Notable Works
Transitioning away from the legal profession, Leroux embarked on a successful career as a journalist and author. As a novelist, he gravitated toward the crime novel genre, producing several seminal works. His published contributions include:
- ***The Perfume of the Lady in Black*** (1908)
- ***The Phantom of the Opera*** (1910)
- ***The Mystery of the Yellow Room***
- Various other notable literary outputs cataloged under his name (such as entities Q3443344, Q3208351, and Q125775706).

His versatility as a writer also led him to work as a screenwriter and a playwright, expanding his storytelling across multiple mediums.

### Character Creation
Leroux's narrative skills led to the creation of several enduring fictional figures:
- **Erik:** The main character of *The Phantom of the Opera*. Erik is a French citizen recognized for his complex roles in the narrative, encompassing various occupations.
- **Christine Daaé:** Another central figure in *The Phantom of the Opera*. She is notable as a Swedish singer and violinist.
- **Joseph Rouletabille:** A fictional French character who appears in Leroux's mystery writings, recognized for his investigative roles.

### Recognition and Legacy
Leroux's contributions to French literature and culture were formally recognized when he was designated as a Knight of the Legion of Honour. 

He passed away on April 15, 1927. His final resting place is the Leroux family grave at the Cimetière du Château in Nice. Today, his legacy is preserved and cataloged worldwide across numerous databases, library systems, and authority files, including VIAF (19680417), GND (11882905X), BNF (11912592d), and IMDb (nm0503693). His life and enduring cultural footprint are also maintained via his official website (gaston-leroux.com).

## References

1. [Léonore database](https://www.leonore.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr/ui/notice/221377#show)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. [Departmental archives of Alpes-Maritimes](https://archives06.fr/ark:/79346/ec8fb61bd80da890d0e800c3b44a904d5e/daogrp/0/1/idsearch:RECH_441bdf87252a6d4c88e12a39d921338a?id=https%3A%2F%2Farchives06.fr%2Fark%3A%2F79346%2Fec8fb61bd80da890d0e800c3b44a904d5e%2Fcanvas%2F0%2F362&vx=2796.7&vy=-831.307&vr=0&vz=6.51534)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. BnF authorities
6. The Fine Art Archive
7. [Source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leroux_family_grave_at_the_cimeti%C3%A8re_du_chateau_in_Nice.jpg)
8. Léonore database
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. CiNii Research
11. MusicBrainz
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. SNAC
14. Internet Broadway Database
15. Find a Grave
16. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
17. NooSFere
18. BD Gest'
19. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
20. Médias 19
21. Vegetti Catalog of Fantastic Literature
22. GeneaStar
23. Roglo
24. Babelio
25. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
26. CONOR.SI
27. [Source](https://www.leonore.archives-nationales.culture.gouv.fr/ui/notice/221377)
28. Autoritats UB
29. BBC Things
30. Quora
31. Gaston Leroux (1868-1927) | Open Library. Open Library
32. LIBRIS. 2012
33. LibraryThing
34. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute