Edgar Evertson Saltus was born on October 8, 1855, in New York City to parents Francis Henry Saltus and Julia Ida Evertson Saltus. Known for his elaborate and elegant prose, he became a distinctive voice in American literature during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His writing style was often compared to that of European decadent authors such as Joris-Karl Huysmans, Gabriele D'Annunzio, and Oscar Wilde, with whom he shared a fascination for aestheticism, moral ambiguity, and philosophical pessimism. Saltus began his career in law but turned to literature, where his refined diction and interest in metaphysical questions garnered both attention and controversy. His work spanned fiction, essays, and philosophical treatises, often exploring the limits of morality, beauty, and human desire. Among his notable writings are The Philosophy of Disenchantment and The Anatomy of Negation, which reflect his engagement with skepticism and nihilism. He lived much of his life in New York, where he was a known figure in intellectual and literary circles. He married Marie Saltus in 1911 and remained with her until his death on July 31, 1921, in Manhattan, at the age of 65.
