William Harrison Ainsworth (1805 – 1882) was an English historical novelist. He was born in Manchester, the son of a solicitor. He trained in the law, but the legal profession had no attraction for him, and when he made the acquaintance of John Ebers, a publisher and the manager of the King's Theatre, Haymarket, he was introduced to literary and dramatic circles. Ultimately, he married Ebers' daughter. He tried the publishing business, but gave it up to focus on journalism and literature. His first success as a writer was "Rookwood" (1834), and he went on to publish 39 novels.