William Ainsworth was a popular English historical novelist, playwright (under his own name and the pseudonym ‘Thomas Hall’), short story author, and literary magazine writer and publisher. Although he remains largely forgotten today, Ainsworth enjoyed great popularity and success during his lifetime.

Birth and Early Years

William Harrison Ainsworth was born on the 4th of February 1805, in Manchester, England. He had the good fortune of being born to parents with means and position. Thomas Ainsworth, his father, was a prominent lawyer, while Ann Ainsworth, his mother, was the daughter of well-known and highly respected Unitarian minister, the Reverend Ralph Harrison.

Ainsworth received a classical education that befitted his family’s position. Throughout his schooling, he received high marks and enjoyed popularity among his instructors and peers. Young Ainsworth was a veracious reader during that time, with a penchant for the romantic, adventure, and supernatural genres. When Ainsworth wasn’t reading, he was putting his own work to paper, gravitating to short stories and plays. By the age of 16, along with penning several short stories in his own name, Ainsworth had nearly 20 of his works published in Arliss’s Pocket Magazine under the name “Thomas Hall,” “H. A.” or “W. A.”.

After leaving school, under his father’s direction, Ainsworth began preparing for a career in the law. He spent a short period working as a lawyer, especially after his father passed in 1824, elevating him to a senior in their firm. However, this direction wouldn’t last long for Ainsworth, as the law did little to capture his efforts, attention, or passion. In fact, while still “working” as an attorney, he spent most of his time reading and writing for literary magazines and surrounding himself with those who did the same.

Not only was the literary world affecting Ainsworth’s professional direction and career, but it was also bleeding into his personal life. John Embers, a prominent publisher, became interested in his work. Their meeting led to an even more significant encounter for Ainsworth—Ember’s daughter, Fanny. Ainsworth and Fanny courted for a time, and in 1826, they married. The couple would go on to have three daughters together.

Interestingly, while it was his father that pushed him into the law, it was his new father-in-law who pushed him to sell his share of Ainsworth’s law firm to start a publishing business. Unfortunately, after they both experienced some financial reversals, the publishing business was soon turned over for John Embers to run.

Neither the law nor the publishing business being Ainsworth’s genuine passion, they both seemed to have similar fates: Although Ainsworth returned to the law from time to time, it was only for short-term financial reasons. Similarly, Ainsworth would return to publishing from time to time, including a magazine under his own name, but it was only with moderate success and was just as easily abandoned. In his heart of hearts, Ainsworth was neither lawyer nor publisher; the man was a writer.

His Work

Despite the fact that he penned several shorter works in the gothic suspense or supernatural styles of his day, most regard Ainsworth as a historical novelist. Although there are those who complain about his liberal mixing of fact and fiction, there is no denying his historical works were very popular reads in his time. 

It was in 1834 that the popularity of Ainsworth really took hold. In his first major novel, Rookwood, he created an adaptation of the famous English highwayman, Dick Turpin, as the romanticized leading character. Although this novel is more literature than historical fact, it is more than likely that Dick Turpin would have faded out quickly in the annals of history, had it not been for Ainsworth. Rookwood also sets the tone and style that would play heavily in all of his later historical works. 

Perhaps his most famous and popular work is The Lancashire Witches, and is the only one of his novels that has remained in print today. This title is only one of his seven Lancashire historical novels. The set covers nearly 400 years of history, and includes Mervyn Clitheroe, The Leaguer of Lathom, Jack Sheppard, Guy Fawkes, Old St. Paul’s, and Windsor Castle.

Interesting or Notables

Ainsworth was known to have met, spent time, or collaborated with such notables as Mary Shelley, Walter Scott, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Thomas Carlyle, J. P. Aston, and William Thackeray. He was also close friends, and a travel companion for a time, with the incomparable Charles Dickens.

Death and Impact

Ainsworth passed away on the 3rd of January 1882, at the age of 76. His final resting place is the Kensal Green Cemetery. A true accounting of the totality of William Harrison Ainsworth’s work has never really been completed. This task is made exceedingly difficult as he co-wrote, used many pen names, worked and edited under many literary publications, and authored such a vast array topics, genres, and mediums. However, at present, he is often credited with over 40 novels, not counting his untold number of plays and short stories.

Although he remained popular during his time and shortly after his death, his works fell out of fashion quickly and seem largely forgot today.

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