George Payne Rainsford James (August 9, 1799 - June 9, 1860), novelist and historical writer, son of a physician in London, was for many years British Consul at various places in the United States and on the Continent. He held the honorary office of British Historiographer Royal during the last years of William IV's reign. At an early age he began to write romances, and continued his production with such industry that his works reach to 100 volumes. This excessive production was fatal to his permanent reputation; but his books had considerable immediate popularity. Among them are Richelieu (1829), Philip Augustus (1831), The Man at Arms (1840), The Huguenot (1838), The Robber, Henry of Guise (1839), The Commissioner: or, De lunatico Inquirendo (1843), Agincourt (1844), The King's Highway (1840) and The Smuggler (1845). In addition to his novels he wrote Memoirs of Great Commanders, a Life of the Black Prince, and other historical and biographical works. This article incorporates public domain text from: Cousin, John William (1910). A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature. London, J. M. Dent & sons; New York, E. P. Dutton.