author
John Howell
1788–1863
A restless Edinburgh maker and man of letters, this Scottish writer brought real-life adventure to the page while chasing some astonishing ideas of his own. His life mixed bookbinding, bookselling, invention, and a flair for the unusual.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in Edinburgh in 1788, John Howell was a Scottish bookbinder, writer, editor, and shopkeeper whose career ranged far beyond the book trade. He is often remembered as a strikingly versatile figure: alongside his literary work, he experimented with ambitious inventions, including attempts at flying and underwater travel.
Howell worked in and around the world of books for much of his life, and that practical experience shaped his writing. He is associated with works such as The Life and Adventures of Alexander Selkirk, the Real Robinson Crusoe, bringing historical lives and adventures to a broad readership in an accessible style.
He spent his life in Edinburgh and died there in 1863. Even in brief accounts, what stands out is his unusual blend of craftsmanship, curiosity, and boldness — the kind of author whose own life was nearly as eventful as the stories he chose to tell.