Author: Francis William Rowsell
Author: Francis William Rowsell (1838–1885)
Alternate Name(s): Francis Davenant (pseudonym)
Biography: Francis William Rowsell was born on 11 July 1838 in London, the fourth son of Samuel William Rowsell. At a young age, he entered as a clerk in the Admiralty while studying the law at the Middle Temple and being called to the bar in 1862. Under the pseudonym "Francis Davenant" he contributed historical fiction to the Boy's Own Magazine and articles about the law to London Society. His pseudonym appears to have been a well-kept secret. In 1870, Rowsell became the director of naval contracts; in 1879, he was appointed one of the British commissioners in Egypt. As part of his appointment, he was made C.B. (1879) and C.M.G. (1880). Sadly, Rowsell died of dysentery contracted in India on 4 September 1885 in London. He left a widow and three daughters. A promising career cut short. Note: authorship revealed in literary gossip.
Author Tags:
References: British Census (1851, 1861, 1871); Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian (8 July 1871); Illustrated London News (12 September 1885); Men-at-the-Bar
Fiction Titles:
- Hubert Ellis: A Story of King Richard's Days the Second. 1 vol. London: Ward and Lock, 1866.