Payn, James (1830–1898)

English novelist. His first novel was The Foster Brothers 1859; it was followed by many others, including Lost Sir Massingberd 1864, Walter's Word 1875, By Proxy 1878, The Canon's Ward 1884, and The Talk of the Town 1885. Most of Payn's stories are sensational or have an element of mystery, and, though the chain of coincidence is often strained, the plots are usually ingenious and well worked out.

He was born in Cheltenham and was educated at Eton, Woolwich Academy, and Trinity College, Cambridge. As a Cambridge undergraduate he published two volumes of verse 1852–53. He then became a contributor to Chambers' Journal and was editor 1859–74. He was editor of the Cornhill Magazine 1883–96.