Marryat, Frederick (măr`ēăt), 1792–1848, English novelist. He is famous for his thrilling tales of sea adventure. His 24 years of service in the British navy in various parts of the world provided background for his stories. Noted for their humor and robust vigor, his novels include Frank Mildmay (1829), Peter Simple (1834), Mr. Midshipman Easy (1836), and Snarleyyow; or, The Dog Fiend (1837). In his later years he devoted himself to writing adventure books for children, notably Masterman Ready (1841) and The Children of the New Forest (1847). A trip (1837–39) to North America resulted in his unfavorable account of American manners, A Diary in America (1839).

Bibliography

See The Life and Letters of Captain Marryat (1872) by his daughter F. Marryat; biography by D. Hannay (1889, repr. 1973).

Marryat, Frederick

(born July 10, 1792, London, Eng.—died Aug. 9, 1848, Langham, Norfolk) English naval officer and novelist. He served in the Royal Navy from age 14 until he retired in 1830 as a captain. He then began a series of adventure novels—including The King's Own (1830), Peter Simple (1834), and Poor Jack (1840)—marked by a lucid, direct narrative style, humour, and incidents drawn from his varied experience at sea. His Children of the New Forest (1847), set during the English Civil Wars, is a classic of children's literature.