William Harrison Ainsworth (1805-1882) was an English novelist who is best known for his historical romances, many of which were set in the 17th century. Born in Manchester, Ainsworth was educated at the Manchester Grammar School and trained as a lawyer before turning to writing. He first gained recognition with his novel Rookwood (1834), which tells the story of a band of highwaymen in the 18th century. The novel was a commercial success and established Ainsworth as a leading figure in the historical fiction genre. Ainsworth went on to write several other historical romances, including Jack Sheppard (1839), Old Saint Paul's (1841), and The Lancashire Witches (1849). He also served as editor of Bentley's Miscellany, a popular literary magazine that featured the work of many notable writers of the day. In addition to his literary pursuits, Ainsworth was a collector of antiquities and played a prominent role in the establishment of the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert Museum) in London. He was also a supporter of the arts and served as a director of the Royal Literary Fund. Ainsworth continued to write throughout his life and was a prolific author of novels, plays, and essays. He died in 1882 and is remembered as one of the most important writers of historical fiction in the Victorian era.