The Work of John Collier 1John Collier, a contemporary English author, was born in London, England on May 3,1901 and lived his last years in Palisades, California where he died of a stroke on April 6, 1980. Collier was a writer of the 1920's era, educated in post-Victorian England, and according to Anthony Burgess in the London Times. He was known for "literary allusiveness and quiet wit" (Contemporary Authors 111). A collection of his most memorable works was published in 1972 entitled The John Collier Reader. His literary style reached beyond his native country and became popular in the Unit