George Alfred Henty was born on 8 December, 1832, at Trumpington, near Cambridge, the second son of the four children of coal mine manager James Henty (1799-1872) and Mary Bovill (1808-1887). Whilst attending the Westminster School he took to physical pursuits such as rowing and boxing, activities he would continue at Caius College, Cambridge, where he studied the classics. Later in life yachting became one his many passions. At the outbreak of the Crimean War Henty and his brother Frederick were commissioned for service and the Morning Advertiser published his letters home. Frederick died after contracting cholera, and Henty was invalided home.Upon arrival home he continued his writing whilst rehabilitating. The now-promoted captain and Elizabeth Finucane (1836-1865) married on 1 July, 1857, with whom he'd have four children. In 1865 Elizabeth died of tuberculosis. His two daughters Maud Elizabeth (d.1879) at the age of eighteen, and Ethel Mary (d.1882) at the age of nineteen, also died of tuberculosis. Overcome with grief that lasted for many years, Henty resigned his position as captain because it wasn't sufficient to support his family. He then launched into his career as war correspondent for The Standard. He endured many adventures of derring-do whilst in the company of Garibaldi in Italy and Sir Robert Napier in Abyssinia. The March to Magdala and All but Lost, collections of his reports were published in 1868. During the Franco-Prussian War he spent time with both the German and French sides. He then found himself reporting on campaign events in Russia and Africa. The Illustrated London News as well as The Standard were publishing his reports. After writing of the Spanish Civil War, Henty accompanied the Prince of Wales on a royal tour of India. After many years of service, Henty was starting to weary of the travails of war and conflict, physically and spiritually, and finally resigned.