Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jackson, Henry (1831-1879)

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
1398033Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 29 — Jackson, Henry (1831-1879)1892Gordon Goodwin

JACKSON, HENRY (1831–1879), novelist, born at Boston, Lincolnshire, on 15 April 1831, was son of a brewer. After attending Sleaford and Boston grammar schools, he was placed first in a bank, and subsequently in his father's brewery. Severe illness left him an invalid for life at eighteen, and he devoted himself thenceforth to literary work. He died at Hampstead on 24 May 1879.

Jackson's earliest stories were published in ‘ Chambers's Journal,’ beginning with a brief tale called ‘A Dead Man's Revenge.’ His first novel, entitled ‘A First Friendship,’ was published in ‘Fraser's Magazine’ while Mr. J. A. Froude was editor; it was reissued in one volume in 1863. His next novel, ‘Gilbert Rugge,’ appeared in the same magazine, and was published in three volumes in 1866. Both novels were reprinted in America, where they had a larger circulation than in England. In 1871 Jackson published a volume of three stories, called ‘Hearth Ghosts,’ and in 1874 a novel in three volumes, entitled ‘Argus Fairbairn,’ the only one of his writings to which his name is attached.

[Information from F. Jackson, esq.]

G. G.