John Cann Bailey

Born in Norwich on January 10, 1864, he was educated at Haileybury and New College, Oxford. Although he qualified as a barrister, he did not go on to practise law, and instead became known for his work as a literary critic, essayist, and public lecturer.

He wrote widely on English literature, including books on Samuel Johnson, Milton, and other major authors, and was valued for making serious literary discussion readable and engaging. Alongside his writing, he also took an active public role and served as chairman of the National Trust.

Bailey died on June 29, 1931. Remembered as a thoughtful interpreter of English letters, he combined scholarship with an accessible style that still makes his work inviting to modern readers.