2/21/1864 Leonard Merrick appears

February 21, 1864.  You have probably never heard of Leonard Merrick, who was born on this date.  That fact would surprise his fellow Victorians, who greatly admired his work.  J.M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan, called him a "novelist's novelist."

His first novel was a detective story, Mr. Bazalgette's Agent.  His other works included The Worldlings, a psychological crime novel.  His novels, stories, and plays have inspired more than ten movies.