G. A. Henty
George Alfred Henty (1832-1902) was a prominent British author, renowned for his extensive collection of adventure stories aimed primarily at boys during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. Born near Cambridge, he initially pursued a military career, serving in notable conflicts such as the Crimean War, and later transitioned to writing, inspired by his experiences as a war correspondent. Henty's novels, beginning with "Out on the Pampas," typically feature a brave, honorable middle-class boy who embarks on thrilling adventures in historical settings, often tied to British imperialism.
His works often present a didactic perspective on imperialism, portraying it as a morally justified endeavor, which has drawn criticism for historical inaccuracies and a one-dimensional view of colonized societies. Despite this, his storytelling is characterized by action and excitement, reflecting his personal travels and experiences. Henty's prolific output, with three to four books released annually under a contract with Blackie of London, left a significant impact on young readers in Britain, Canada, and the United States, shaping their views of history and heroism. His contributions are also recognized in the context of the development of the popular press and the romantic historical fiction genre.
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Subject Terms
G. A. Henty
Author
- Born: December 8, 1832
- Died: November 16, 1902
Biography
George Alfred Henty is best known for more than eighty adventure stories for boys, written in the late Victorian and Edwardian ages. He was a firm believer in the British Empire, and wrote with conviction and enthusiasm about imperialism and his vision of the ideal British character.
Henty was born near Cambridge, England, in 1832 to a respectable middle-class family. He attended Cambridge University, which he left without a degree, but while he was there he excelled in athletics, including rowing, wrestling, and boxing. In 1855, Henty received a commission in the army, and served in the Crimean War, in Ireland, and in Italy. In 1860, Henty married Elizabeth Finucane, with whom he had four children. She died of consumption in 1865, and Henty remarried in 1889.
While serving in the Crimean War, Henty wrote vivid letters home. His father showed these letters to a newspaper editor, and this led to a long career as a war correspondent, mostly for the London Standard. Henty traveled widely, living an adventurous life and writing about varied campaigns, including the Italian-Austrian campaign, the Franco-Prussian War, an Abyssinian expedition, and wars in Africa and Canada.
Henty’s first adventure novel, Out on the Pampas, was the beginning of a highly successful second career, for which he is better known than for his years as a war correspondent. By 1876, he had retired from journalism, tried his hand at editing boys’ periodicals, and turned his full attention to writing fiction for boys. From 1882 until his death in 1902, he produced three or four books a year, under contract to the publisher Blackie of London.
Henty’s books follow a formula. A brave and honorable middle-class boy, sometimes orphaned, has a series of adventures in a historical context, usually in the military. Through captures, escapes, and loyalty to his leader and the British Empire, the hero shows his fine character, and eventually returns to England to marry his childhood sweetheart. Typical examples of Henty’s work include With Clive in India, The Dash for Khartoum: A Tale of the Nile Expedition, and Through the Sikh War: A Tale of the Conquest of the Punjaub. In each case, a preface explains the historical situation and the adventure story follows.
Henty’s work has been criticized for historical inaccuracy and for a didactic view of British imperialism as morally right and of benefit to the colonized peoples. Nevertheless, his work was entertaining and full of action, with a realism and excitement based on his own travels and experiences. In addition, Henty is notable for his role in the development of the popular press and defining the genre of romantic historical fiction. Henty’s novels were popular and influenced the view of history of a generation of British, Canadian, and American youth. They remain a source for studying the values of the Victorian era and display the romantic notion that a hero receives rewards based on hard work, action, and courage.