Charles Major

Born in Indianapolis on July 25, 1856, and raised in Shelbyville, Indiana, Charles Major trained as a lawyer and was admitted to the bar in 1877. He practiced law for many years, but writing became his lasting claim to fame.

His breakthrough came with When Knighthood Was in Flower (1898), published under the pen name Edwin Caskoden. The novel was a major bestseller and helped build his reputation as a writer of lively historical romance, especially stories set in Tudor and Elizabethan England.

Major also wrote books rooted closer to home, including stories connected with Indiana and pioneer life. He died in Shelbyville on February 13, 1913, leaving behind a body of work that blends adventure, romance, and a strong sense of place.