William Clark Russell (1844 - 1911)

William Clark Russell (24 February 1844 – 8 November 1911) was an English writer best known for his nautical novels. At the age of 13 Russell joined the Merchant Navy, serving for eight years. The hardships of life at sea permanently damaged his health, but provided him with material for a career as a writer. He wrote short stories, press articles, historical essays, biographies and a book of verse, but was best known for his novels, most of which were about life at sea. He maintained a parallel career as a journalist, principally as a columnist on nautical subjects for The Daily Telegraph.