Alfred Edward Woodley Mason (7 May 1865 Dulwich, London – 22 November 1948 London) was an English author and politician. He is best remembered for his 1902 novel of courage and cowardice in wartime,The Four Feathers and is also known as the creator of Inspector Hanaud, a French detective who was an early template for Agatha Christie's famous Hercule Poirot.