G.A. Henty

G.A. Henty was an English author and a war correspondent. He is famously known for his historical adventure stories that were so popular in the late nineteenth century. Henty works include Freedom’s Clause (1885), Under Drake’s Flag (1883), For the Temple (1883), and The Dragon & The Raven (1886).Henty was born in Trumpington, and his childhood was a tough one as he steadily became sick and spent extended periods of time in bed. During these low times in his life, Henty became an avid reader and developed a variety of interests most of which were transferred into adulthood. The author attended Westminster School and later joined Gonville and Caius College in Cambridge. He quit his university studies to join Army Hospital Commissariat, a voluntary job when the Crimean War began. While in the army, he was sent to Crimea, and while in the battlefield, he witnessed the harsh conditions the soldiers were subjected to during the war. Henty letters back home had vivid descriptions of what he had witnessed. His father was impressed by the letters that his son sent back home such that he forwarded them to The Morning Advertiser newspaper which published them. This success was what later motivated Henty to accept a job offer to become a special correspondent/war correspondent.