Stanley J. Weyman
Stanley J. Weyman (1855-1928) was an English author renowned for his historical novels that blend adventure and romance. Born in Shropshire, he pursued his education at Shrewsbury School and Christ Church College, Oxford, earning a degree in modern history. After a brief stint as a history master and a six-year career as a barrister, Weyman transitioned to writing, influenced by his fascination with European history, particularly the Huguenots, thanks to American scholar H. M. Baird's extensive works. His literary career began in 1890 with "The House of the Wolf," which quickly gained popularity among younger readers. Weyman authored over twenty novels, with notable titles including "A Gentleman of France" and "Under the Red Robe," many of which focus on dashing heroes in historical settings. His works have been adapted into various media, including film and stage productions. Weyman’s complete writings were published in 1911, solidifying his legacy as a significant figure in historical fiction.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Stanley J. Weyman
Author
- Born: August 7, 1855
- Birthplace: Ludlow, Shropshire, England
- Died: April 10, 1928
Biography
Stanley J. Weyman was born in 1855 in Shropshire, England, where he attended Shrewsbury School and went on to Christ Church College at Oxford, where he earned a B.A. in modern history. His father was Thomas Weyman, a solicitor, and his mother was Mary Maria (Black) Weyman. After working as history master at King’s School in Chester for a year, he was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1881 and served as a lawyer for six years. He married Charlotte Panting in 1895.
At the end of his time in the courts, several events worked together to change Weyman’s choice of career. First, he was rather unsuccessful as a barrister, and he needed a supplemental income. Second, he read, and was highly influenced by, American scholar H. M. Baird’s six-volume History of the Huguenots, published from 1879 to 1895. Baird’s work exhaustively detailed the history of the Huguenots (French Protestants) from the time of the Reformation until the nullification of the Edict of Nantes in 1688. Weyman was fascinated by the time period. Third, Weyman was arrested in France in 1885, suspected of spying for the English. The publicity he generated in England had the effect of increasing his credibility as an author who knew something about intrigue and political adventure.
Weyman wrote historical novels dealing with various events in European history from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries. He wrote swashbuckling romances that, while mostly faithful to history, focus on dashing heroes of his own invention. His first published novel was 1890’s The House of the Wolf, which went on to become popular with younger readers. Other of his most popular works include the first-person, three-volume fictional memoir, A Gentleman of France; Under the Red Robe; The Red Cockade; and The Long Night.
In all, Weyman wrote more than twenty historical novels from 1890 until his death in 1928. Three of Weyman’s novels were adapted for film. Count Hannibal: A Romance of the Court of France was adapted as a stage play in London, and several others were used as the basis for an operetta and for radio plays. His complete works were published in 1911 as The Works of Stanley J. Weyman.