Gaston Leroux - The Double Life: "He loved her so much that it almost took his breath away"

Gaston Leroux, a Parisian born in 1868, transitioned from a life of excess and legal studies to become a prominent journalist and fiction writer. He covered significant events, including the Russian Revolution and the Paris Commune, before turning to fiction in 1907 with "The Mystery of the Yellow Room." Leroux's works gained popularity both in France and internationally, paralleling the styles of Conan Doyle and Poe. His most famous creation, "The Phantom of the Opera," remains a classic, inspiring countless adaptations. Leroux was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur in 1902 and passed away in 1927.