Mortimer Collins

• Born — 29 June 1827 • Birthplace — Plymouth • Died — 28 July 1876 • Place of death — Richmond, Surrey

He was born at Plymouth, son of Francis Collins, a solicitor there, and his wife Maud Branscombe. On 13 November 1834, he was baptized at the Ebenezer Independent Chapel, in Kingsbridge, Devon, when his date of birth in 1827 was also noted. He was educated at a private school in Westbury, Wiltshire, and after some years spent as mathematics master at Elizabeth College, Guernsey, he relocated to London. Collins devoted himself to journalism written from the Conservative Party perspective, mainly for periodicals. He also wrote occasional and humorous verse, and several novels. Soon after his second marriage, to Frances Dunn in 1868, he settled at Knowl Hill, Berkshire, and from this time he rarely left his home for a day and published several novels. Collins died at Nightingale Hall, Richmond Hill, aged only 49, while visiting his son-in-law, Keningale Robert Cook, husband of his daughter Mabel Collins. His funeral was attended by many literary friends, including Tom Taylor, the editor of Punch, the novelist R. D. Blackmore, and the poets Frederick Locker and R H Horne, Percival Leigh, E. Owens Blackburne, Henry Sutherland Edwards, James and Montague Vizetelly. He was buried in St Peter's Church, Petersham; there is no memorial stone.

His recorded language was English. He married Frances Collins.

Mortimer Collins is recorded as writer, novelist and poet.