William Harrison Ainsworth (4 February 1805 – 3 January 1882) was an English historical novelist born in
Manchester. He trained as a lawyer, but the legal profession held no attraction for him. While completing his legal studies in London he met the publisher
John Ebers, at that time manager of the
King's Theatre, Haymarket. Ebers introduced Ainsworth to literary and dramatic circles, and to his daughter, who became Ainsworth's wife.