It is better, however, for his own reputation that the story-teller should risk a few actions for libel on account of these unfortunate coincidences than that he should adopt the melancholy device of using blanks or asterisks.

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.