John Meade Falkner

John Meade Falkner (1858-1932) was an English novelist and poet, best known for his 1898 novel Moonfleet. He was also a successful businessman, serving as chairman of the arms manufacturer Armstrong Whitworth during World War I.

Falkner was born in Manchester, England, to a wealthy family. He was educated at Eton College and Oxford University. After graduating from Oxford, he worked in the family business before entering the arms industry.

Falkner began writing in his early twenties. He published his first novel, The Lost Stradivarius, in 1895. It was followed by Moonfleet in 1898. Moonfleet is a tale of smuggling and adventure set in the 18th century. It was an immediate success and has become a classic of English literature.

Falkner published several other novels, including The Nebuly Coat (1903) and The Sea Wolves (1904), but none of them were as successful as Moonfleet. He also wrote a number of poems and short stories.

Falkner was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a successful businessman and a talented writer, but he was also a heavy drinker and a gambler. He died in poverty in 1932.

Despite his personal problems, Falkner's legacy is secure. Moonfleet is considered one of the greatest adventure novels ever written. It has been adapted into numerous films and television series, and it continues to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

Falkner's work is known for its vivid descriptions, its suspenseful plots, and its complex characters. He was a master of the adventure story genre, and his work continues to inspire and entertain readers around the world.