John G. (John George) Edgar

Born in 1834, he was the fourth son of the Rev. John Edgar of Hutton, Berwickshire. He first worked in business in Liverpool and traveled to the West Indies on mercantile affairs, but he soon left commerce behind and devoted himself to literature.

He became known as a miscellaneous writer and journalist whose books were often aimed at boys. His best-known works include The Boyhood of Great Men, Footprints of Famous Men, and a series of historical tales such as The Wars of the Roses, Cressy and Poictiers, and Runnymede and Lincoln Fair. He also served as the first editor of Every Boy’s Magazine.

Though he died young in 1864, his books remained widely read for their energetic, accessible retellings of history. They reflect a Victorian talent for mixing instruction with storytelling, making battles, explorers, rulers, and heroes feel vivid to younger readers.