A man with an invention on which he has spent his life, but has no means to get it developed for the good of humanity - or even patented for himself - must feel the pinch of poverty very acutely.

Payn was educated at Eton and afterwards entered the Military Academy at Woolwich; but his health was not equal to the demands of a military career and he proceeded in 1847 to Trinity College Cambridge. 1830 or 1831) sister of Judge Sir Peter Edlin later chairman of the London Quarter Sessions. He was also literary adviser to Messrs Smith Elder & Company.

James Payn (born 28 February 1830 near Maidenhead Berkshire died 25 March 1898 in Maida Vale London) was an English novelist.