John Munro, Croydon’s forgotten sci-fi author, died alone in 1905

John Munro, a Victorian-era science fiction writer whose work was compared to Jules Verne, died alone in his Croydon home in June 1905. The discovery of his death certificate and a coroner’s inquest report, unearthed by local historian David Morgan, corrects long-standing records that placed his death more than two decades later.

Munro lived at 3 St John’s Grove for at least a decade, but his final years were marked by isolation. Neighbours, including Mary Ann Budd of No. 5, described him as a recluse who had not spoken to anyone in years. Budd alerted police after hearing distressing noises from his property on an unspecified day in June 1905.

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A life revealed only after death

Police broke into Munro’s home after failing to gain entry. Inside, they found him collapsed at the foot of the stairs. Dr Paget, the attending physician, confirmed his death and later testified at the inquest that Munro had suffered from an enlarged heart, kidney disease, and malnutrition. The coroner’s jury returned a verdict of death by natural causes.

The cottage was sparsely furnished, with only mattresses, a table, a lamp, and a few boxes. No carpets covered the floors, and the windows were so grimy that little light entered. The only food found was bread and cheese. Despite the squalor, police discovered £6 3s 7½d in Munro’s pockets, equivalent to nearly £1,000 today.

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Munro’s identity remained unknown to authorities until police searched his home. They found a box containing documents, including two cheques: one from publisher Cassell and Co for 12s 6d, and another from *The Globe* for £4 19s. Correspondence with Professor Jameson of the University of Glasgow revealed Munro had co-authored an academic book on electricity.

A letter from Margaret Munro, addressed to 7 Muir Park Avenue in South Renfrew, led police to Munro’s nephew, Charles Munro. Charles travelled to Croydon to identify his uncle, confirming his identity as the author of works such as *A Trip to Venus* and *Sun-Rise in the Moon*.

The inquest and its aftermath

The inquest was held at Croydon Infirmary, near the site of today’s Mayday Hospital. *The Croydon Times* reported on the proceedings, detailing how Munro had lived in near-total seclusion. Budd testified that Munro had once employed a charlady, but even those visits had ceased years before his death. She recalled seeing him smoking in his garden but had not spoken to him in years.

The coroner’s report noted that Munro’s home was listed in the town directory as unoccupied, despite his residence there. Police found no evidence of foul play, and the death certificate recorded the date only as June 1905. The exact day remains unclear.

A legacy rediscovered

Munro’s works, including *A Message from Mars*, were published in the late 19th century and described as "Verne-esque" by his publishers. He had been a professor of mechanical engineering at Bristol and wrote extensively on electricity before turning to science fiction. His death, however, went largely unnoticed until Morgan’s research brought it to light.

The documents confirming Munro’s death in 1905 contradict earlier accounts, including those on Wikipedia, which had placed his death in the 1930s. The inquest records and death certificate provide the first definitive evidence of his final years in Croydon.

No further action is expected in relation to Munro’s death. The records remain part of the historical archive at Croydon Infirmary, now the site of Mayday Hospital. Morgan’s research, published by *Inside Croydon*, has corrected the public record but offers no new avenues for investigation.