George Payne Rainsford James (9 August 1799 – 9 June 1860), was an English novelist and historical writer, the son of a physician in London. He was for many years British Consul at various places in the United States and on the Continent. He held the honorary office of British Historiographer Royal during the last years of William IV's reign.

Early life

George Payne Rainsford James was born in St George Street, Hanover Square, London in 1799. His father was a physician who had served in the navy and was in America during the Revolutionary War, serving with Benedict Arnold in the Battle of Groton Heights.

James attended the school of the Reverend William Carmalt in Putney. He developed a love of languages, including Greek, Latin, Persian and Arabic. He also studied medicine as a young man, but his inclinations led him in a different direction. He wanted to go into the navy, but his father was against it, due to his own naval experiences, finally allowing him to join the army. James served for a short time in the army as a lieutenant during the Hundred Days, and was wounded in a small action following The Battle of Waterloo. He travelled extensively, visiting France and Spain soon after the abdication of Napoleon. These early travels gave him the idea for his novel Morley Ernstein.

  • The Robber (3 volumes, 1838)
  • Henry of Guise, or The States of Blois (3 volumes, 1839)
  • The Huguenot: A Tale of the French Protestants (3 volumes, 1839)
  • Charles Tyrell, or The Bitter Blood (1839)
  • The Gentleman of the Old School (3 volumes, 1839)
  • The King's Highway (3 volumes, 1840)
  • The Man at Arms, or Henri de Cerons (1840)
  • Corse de Leon, or The Brigand (3 volumes, 1841), novel set in 16th Century France.
  • A History of the Life of Edward the Black Prince (2 volumes, 1836)
  • Memoirs of Celebrated Women (ed. by, 1837)
  • The Life and Times of Louis XIV (4 volumes, 1838)
  • Letters Illustrative of the Reign of William III from 1696 to 1708 Adressed to the Duke of Shrewsbury by James Vernon, Esq., Secretary of State (3 volumes, 1841).
  • Dark Scenes of History (3 volumes, 1849)

Other:

  • The Ruined City (poetry, privately, 1828)
  • Blanche of Navarre (play, 1839)
  • Camaralzaman (fairy drama, 1848)
  • A Book of the Passions (1852)

References

1853 – The Huguenot Pub by Simms and M'Intyre.

  • S. M. Ellis, The Solitary Horseman, or the Life & Adventures of G. P. R. James (The Cayme Press, 1927)
  • Works at Online Books Page
  • Biography via The Corvey Novels Project at the University of Nebraska