American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875 - 1950) worked many odd jobs before professionally writing. Burroughs did not start writing until he was in his late 30s while working at a pencil-sharpener wholesaler. But after following his call to writing, Burroughs created one of America's most enduring adventure heroes: Tarzan. Along with his novels about Tarzan, Burroughs wrote the notable Barsoom series, which follows the Mars adventurer John Carter. Jeff Harding is an American actor based in Britain. He is regularly seen in film and television, but he also maintains interest in fringe theatre. He is particularly active in radio and voiceover, having narrated over six hundred audiobooks in the UK for more than thirty years. In addition to acting, he has competed in rowing for many years-a sport he considers particularly appropriate for the narrator of Ben Hur.