Kingston, WILLIAM HENRY GILES

Kingston, WILLIAM HENRY GILES, a popular writer of boys' stories, was born in London, 28th February 1814. His father was a merchant in Oporto, and there much of his youth was spent. At first a merchant, he had already published two stories and a book of Portuguese travel, when in 1851 he found the work of his life in the immediate success of Peter the Whaler, his first book for boys. During the next thirty years he published more than 120 similar books, all simple, vigorous, and healthy in tone; full of daring adventures, hair-breadth escapes, and all the magic of the sea which he not only loved but knew. His heart never lost its wholesome glow of admiration for any form of human heroism, and the simple and sincere veracity of his style easily generated a corresponding sympathetic enthusiasm in his young readers. And he possessed in no small share the pictorial imagination which enabled him to borrow colour from travellers' accounts of countries he had never seen. Among his most popular books were The Three Midshipmen, The Three Lieutenants, The Three Commanders, and The Three Admirals. Kingston took an active interest in many philanthropic schemes, as the mission to seamen, and assisted emigration. He was knighted by the queen of Portugal for his services in helping to bring about a commercial treaty between England and Portugal. He died at Willesden, 5th August 1880.