Richard Doddridge Blackmore (1825-1900), referred to most commonly as R. D. Blackmore, was one of the most famous English novelists of his generation. Over the course of his career, Blackmore achieved a close following around the world. He won literary merit and acclaim for his vivid descriptions and personification of the countryside, sharing with Thomas Hardy a Western England background and a strong sense of regional setting in his works. Noted for his eye for and sympathy with nature, critics of the time described this as one of the most striking features of his writings. He acted as pioneer of the new Romantic Movement in fiction. His magnum opus Lorna Doone (1869) enjoyed considerable popularity since it was published. Blackmore's reputation rests chiefly upon this romantic work, in spite of the fact that it was not his favourite. His works also include Mary Anerley (1880) and Slain by the Doones (1895).