Admiral Sir Edward Belcher (1799-1877) is probably best known for his expedition to find Sir John Franklin, lost in the ice whilst searching for the North West Passage. As a surveyor he published factual works about his many voyages.
He was a cousin of Frederick Marryat and C.S.Forester's first wife was a Belcher. Many believe that Belcher's one and only novel ‘Horatio Howard Brenton' was an inspiration for the Hornblower series. The book cover description, which is quoted in full on the books page, gives a fascinating insight into these relationships which will be of interest to all Historic Naval Fiction fans. His novel is not copyright in many countries and is available as free eBook.
Age of Sail: Fiction
AOS Naval Fiction |
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| Series: n/a | ||
| Year | Book | Comment |
| Horatio Howard Brenton: A Naval Novel |
Originally published in 1856, it can be argued that this novel was the real model for C.S. Forester's character: Horatio Hornblower. |
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Non-Fiction
AOS Naval Non-Fiction |
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| Series: n/a | ||
| Year | Book | Comment |
| A Treatise on Nautical Surveying | An Outline of the Duties of the Naval Surveyor | |
| H.M.S. Sulphur at California, 1837 and 1839 | The Accounts of Midshipman Francis Guillemard Simpkinson and Captain Edward Belcher | |
| Narrative of a Voyage Round the World | Including Details of the Naval Operations in China, from Dec. 1840, to Nov. 1841 | |
| The Last of the Arctic Voyages | The Expedition in H. M. S. Assistance in search of Sir John Franklin | |
| Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Samarang | Surveying the Islands of the Eastern Archipelago | |