John Meade Falkner

John Meade Falkner was born on May 8, 1858, in the village of Manningford Bruce, Wiltshire, where his father served as a clergyman. Although his family belonged to the aristocracy, they were not wealthy. At the age of 13, his mother died of typhoid fever, leaving him with the responsibility of caring for his younger siblings (two brothers and two sisters). This led him to choose a profession that would provide stability and financial security over a life dedicated to literature. After receiving a traditional education at Marlborough and Hertford Colleges, Oxford, where he studied History, he accepted a position as a tutor in the household of Sir Andrew Noble, a wealthy arms manufacturer in Tyneside. He quickly became a valuable and trusted member of the magnate's inner circle. At the age of 40, he married Evelyn Violet Andie, who was 11 years his junior. Their marriage lasted until the end of Falkner's life, although they did not have children. The books he authored include a guide to Oxfordshire and a history of the same region, a handbook on Berkshire, and later a concise history of Bath. In 1896, he wrote "Moonfleet," followed by "The Nebuly Coat" in 1903. By the time of his death on July 22, 1932, Falkner was a distinguished figure, respected by all.