A Dash for a Throne

A.W. Marchmont was a popular British author who wrote several best-selling novels around the turn of the century. Unfortunately, biographical details are scarce. A New York Times obit merely states that upon leaving Oxford he engaged in journalism, which field he left in 1894 to devote his time to fiction. Marchmont's 1897 novel By Right of Sword remained on the Grosset & Dunlap best-seller list for over a decade after its initial publication, and in 1904 was made into a successful Broadway production, which ran several seasons. It was often remarked that Marchmont's novels sold better in the U.S. than in his own country. Marchmont specialized in the genre of "Imperial Intrigue." His tales are filled with romance, action, duels, and narrow escapes. He also wrote several excellent mystery novels which have yet to be rediscovered. A peculiarity of the Edwardian era, and especially for a 'man's man' writer, many of his novels are written from a woman's point of view.