Wal Paget

The man in black. Illustrated by Wal Paget

Stanley John Weyman (7 August 1855 - 10 April 1928) was an English novelist sometimes referred to as the "Prince of Romance". Weyman (pronounced "why-man") was born at Ludlow, Shropshire. The second 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 practised 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. (His entire output is discussed in the annotated bibliography included in the external links below.) He became a great traveller, sometimes in company with his fellow bestselling novelist Henry Seton Merriman. While for years his historical romances enchanted thousands of readers - Robert Louis Stevenson and Oscar Wilde were among the enthusiasts - but today his books are largely neglected.