"Napoleon's British visitors and captives" is a book by John Goldworth Alger that explores the experiences of British visitors and captives in France during Napoleon Bonaparte's reign. The book provides insight into the lives of these individuals who were often kept in uncomfortable conditions and subjected to various forms of mistreatment. The author examines the experiences of a wide range of British captives and visitors, including diplomats, military personnel, and ordinary citizens who were caught up in the conflicts between Britain and France during this period. He also provides an in-depth analysis of the political and military context of the time, highlighting the tensions and rivalries between the two nations that led to the imprisonment and mistreatment of British individuals in France. Through his research, Alger reveals the human side of this historical conflict, shedding light on the struggles and hardships faced by British captives and visitors in France. The book provides a fascinating insight into a little-known aspect of British history, shedding light on the experiences of those who were caught up in the tumultuous events of the Napoleonic era.
John Goldworth Alger (1836–1907) was a journalist and author from England. He was born in Diss, Norfolk, and was the only son of John Alger, a corn merchant, and his wife Jemima. Alger's younger sister was Mary Jemima Alger, who later became a headmistress. Alger began his career in journalism at the age of 16, writing for the Norfolk News before transferring to the Oxford Journal. In 1866, he joined the parliamentary reporting staff of The Times and eight years later, he was sent to Paris to work as an assistant to Henri Opper de Blowitz, the Times correspondent there. Alger remained in Paris for 28 years. In 1902, Alger retired from The Times and settled in London. He passed away unmarried on May 23, 1907, at 7 Holland Park Court, Addison Road, West Kensington.
