Overview
Stanley John Weyman (1855-1928) was an English novelist sometimes referred to as the "Prince of Romance". Weyman was born at Ludlow, Shropshire, as the son of a solicitor. He was educated at Shrewsbury School, and at Christ Church, Oxford. He took his degree in modern history in 1877, and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1881, joining the Oxford circuit. He had been practising as a barrister for eight years until, in 1889, he wrote his first novel entitled The House of the Wolf. This was followed over the following two decades by the novels which were to make his reputation: among them historical romances set amidst the turmoil of 16th and 17th century France. For years his best-selling historical romances enchanted thousands of readers - Robert Louis Stevenson and Oscar Wilde were among his enthusiastic readers. Amongst his other works are: From the Memoirs of a Minister of France (1893), Count Hannibal (1901), In Kings' Byways (1902), Starvecrow (1905), Chippinge Borough (1906) and Laid Up in Lavender (1907).