Historical reference: Do not rely on this information. It is very old. About this collection
Melville, George John Whyte, was born about 1820, went to Eton, entered the Coldstream Guards, and retired as a captain in 1849. In 1853 he made his debut in literature with Bigby Grand. He at once became popular, and some twenty-five works of fiction flowed from his pen before he met his death in the hunting field at the age of 58.