The authorof this diary, Francis Sacheverell Darwin, was born on 17 June 1786—being the sixth son of the scientist and poet, Erasmus Darwin of Lichfield. He was educated at Repton School and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and took the degree of M.D. at Edinburgh. From 1808 to 1810 he saw something of the world in the tour described in these pages—in the company of Theodore Galton, uncle of the well-known biologist Sir Francis Galton. After his return Dr Darwin practised as a physician at Lichfield; and in 1815 he married Jane Harriett Ryle, daughter of John Ryle of Macclesfield. He was knighted on 10 May 1820 at Carlton House, by George IV—on his presenting to the new sovereign an address from the City of Lichfield. Sir Francis is said to have had the best practice in the neighbourhood of Lichfield; but he gave it up from his intense love of country life, and went in 1822 or 1823 to reside at Sydnope Hall, near Darley Dale, Derbyshire; and in 1847 he removed to Breadsall Priory, near Derby, where he died on 6 November 1859—deeply lamented by his family, and by friends both rich and poor.

He left ten children, one of whom writes: “In personal appearance, as well as in mind, my father had few equals. He was 6 feet 3 inches in height, with a fine figure and a remarkably handsome and intellectual face.