English novelist, born in Manchester. His success in the publication of Rookwood (1834), a romantic novel based on the life of Dick Turpin (1706-39), a legendary robber of early 18th century London, established him as one of the most promising successors of Sir Walter Scott, a father of the British historical novel. His series of historical novels is often categorised as the so-called ‘Newgate’ novels, of the type that sensationalized the lives of past criminals, but, as he is favourably nicknamed ‘the Lancashire novelist’, he should also be more appreciated for his passion for local history and customs, especially those of Lancashire. Some portions of literary ballads are inserted in his historical novels.    (Y. Y.)