William Harrison Ainsworth is an English historical novelist born in Manchester. While completing his legal studies in London Ainsworth met the publisher John Ebers, who introduced him to literary and dramatic circles, and to his daughter, who became Ainsworth's wife. Ainsworth briefly tried the publishing business, but soon gave it up and devoted himself to journalism and literature. His first success as a writer came with Rookwood. Ainsworth's Lancashire novels cover altogether 400 years. Jack Sheppard, Guy Fawkes, Old St Paul's, Windsor Castle, and The Lancashire Witches are regarded as his most successful novels.