William Harrison Ainsworth, an English historical author, was born on King Street in Manchester. He trained as a lawyer, but the legal profession did not appeal to him. While completing his law studies in London, he met publisher John Ebers, who was then the manager of the King's Theatre in Haymarket. Ebers introduced Ainsworth to literary and dramatic societies, as well as his daughter, who later became his wife. Ainsworth dabbled with publishing for a short time before abandoning it to pursue journalism and literature. His first breakthrough as a writer came with Rookwood, published in 1834 and starring Dick Turpin. A total of 39 novels followed, the last of which was published in 1881. Ainsworth was born on February 4, 1805, in the family home at 21 King Street in Manchester, to Thomas Ainsworth, a famous Manchester barrister, and Ann (Harrison) Ainsworth, the daughter of the Rev. Ralph Harrison, Unitarian minister at Manchester Cross Street Chapel. On October 4, 1806, Ainsworth's brother, Thomas Gilbert Ainsworth, was born. Although the family home was subsequently demolished, it was a three-story Georgian home in a wealthy neighborhood. The neighborhood impacted Ainsworth with its historical and romantic atmosphere, which lasted until the village was supplanted by commercial buildings [when?]. Aside from the community, Ainsworth read romantic novels as a child and appreciated stories with adventure or magical themes. Ainsworth was particularly fond of Dick Turpin.
