James Malcolm Rymer
Born in 1814
Horror
James Malcolm Rymer was a prolific 19th-century British writer of penny dreadfuls.
He is best known as the probable author of Varney the Vampire and co-author of The String of Pearls, which introduced Sweeney Todd.
Rymer's life details are limited, but records show he worked as a civil engineer and editor before writing for publisher Edward Lloyd.
Between 1842 and 1867, he produced up to 115 popular novels, often using anagrammatic pseudonyms.
His works, including Ada the Betrayed, were successful in their time.
Rymer died on August 11, 1884, and is buried in Kensal Green cemetery, London.