M. R. James (1862–1936)

As a boy, Montague Rhodes James demonstrated precocious skill in reading and languages, and learned Greek, Latin, Hebrew, French, and Italian. He studied at University of Cambridge and was made a Fellow of King's College. He became one of the world's leading authorities on medieval manuscripts, and catalogued the manuscript collections at libraries throughout Britain. He's considered by many to be the father of the modern ghost story.