author
Lionel James
1871–1955
A pioneering war correspondent and military writer, he reported from major conflicts at the turn of the 20th century and turned those experiences into vivid books. His work is closely tied to campaigns in India, South Africa, and East Asia, giving readers an on-the-ground view of imperial warfare and journalism in transition.
1 Audiobook
On the Heels of De Wet
by Lionel James
About the author
Born in 1871 and active as both a soldier and journalist, Lionel James became known for firsthand reporting from late Victorian and Edwardian conflicts. Sources describe him as a special correspondent for Reuters in the Chitral Campaign and for The Times in South Africa, and records held by The National Archives identify him as a colonel and journalist.
He also wrote books drawn from those experiences, including With the Chitral Relief Force, The Indian Frontier War, On the Heels of De Wet, and A Study of the Russo-Japanese War. Some of his fiction and adventure writing appeared under the pseudonym "The Intelligence Officer," a pen name still associated with his work today.
James died in 1955. He is often remembered not just as an author of military history and adventure, but as one of the journalists who helped shape modern war correspondence in the early 20th century.