Falkner John Meade

John Meade Falkner (1858–1932) was an English novelist, poet, and antiquary best known for his historical and adventure novels. Born in Wiltshire, Falkner spent much of his early life in Dorchester and Weymouth before studying at Hertford College, Oxford. Though he initially pursued a literary career, Falkner achieved notable success as a businessman, eventually becoming chairman of the Armstrong Whitworth armaments firm. His most famous works include Moonfleet (1898), a tale of smuggling and adventure set in Dorset, The Nebuly Coat (1903), and The Lost Stradivarius (1895), which reflects his interest in the macabre and the mysterious. Falkner also contributed significantly to antiquarian studies, with a deep passion for English history and ecclesiastical architecture.