Thorne Smith (1892–1934) was an American writer of humorous fiction. Chinese readers know him mainly through his best-known work, Topper. Public information about his life is limited, and only his nationality, dates of birth and death, and a small number of works can be confirmed. Judging from the available material, he excelled at humorous novels, building absurd and witty situations within light-hearted narratives; his characters' speech and behavior often carry a playful, teasing quality, making the books highly entertaining. Topper is his most familiar work and the main entry point for Chinese readers into his style. The library also holds Biltmore Oswald, which continues in the same humorous vein. On the whole, he is a popular author distinguished by comic imagination, and his work holds a place in English humorous literature, offering some inspiration for later fantasy-comedy writing.
