Marryat, Frederick (1792-1848), was an English author whose novels about life at sea were widely read during the 1800’s. Marryat’s novels have declined in popularity, but they remain fine examples of adventure stories.
Marryat was born on July 10, 1792, in London. As a boy, he tried to run away to sea several times. When Marryat was 14 years old, his father allowed him to join the navy. Marryat’s 23 years of sea adventures in the British navy provided material for his writing. The Naval Officer, or Scenes and Adventures in the Life of Frank Mildmay (1829), for example, is largely an autobiographical novel. Marryat’s other sea novels include The King’s Own (1830), The Pirate and the Three Cutters (1836), and Mr. Midshipman Easy (1836). His children’s stories include Masterman Ready (1841-1842). Marryat died on Aug. 9, 1848.
