F. W. (Frederic William) Farrar

Born in Bombay on August 7, 1831, Frederic William Farrar was educated in Britain and went on to build a distinguished career as a teacher, preacher, and writer. He became known for making religious subjects feel lively and approachable, which helped his books find a large readership in the late 19th century.

Farrar served as headmaster of Marlborough College and later of Rugby School, two major English schools, before moving into senior church roles. He became Dean of Canterbury, a position that reflected both his standing in the Church of England and his reputation as a powerful speaker.

Alongside his church work, he wrote widely, including popular religious studies and novels such as Eric, or, Little by Little. His work often aimed to combine moral seriousness with warmth and imagination, and he remained a well-known literary and religious figure until his death on March 22, 1903.