John Goldworth Alger

Born in Diss, Norfolk, in 1836, he went into journalism while still very young and later joined The Times. His work eventually took him to Paris, where long stretches in archives shaped the historical writing he became known for.

He wrote widely on the French Revolution and related periods, including books on Paris during the 1790s and on people caught up in the upheavals of the era. What makes his work stand out is its mix of reporter-like curiosity and careful use of original documents.

Alger died in 1907. Though not a household name today, he remains an appealing figure for readers who enjoy history written with both research and a strong sense of place.