Philip Guedalla was an English barrister, and a popular historical and travel writer and biographer. His wit and epigrams are well-known, one example being "Even reviewers read a Preface". He also was the originator of a now-common theory on Henry James, writing that "The work of Henry James has always seemed divisible by a simple dynastic arrangement into three reigns: James I, James II, and the Old Pretender." No. 1 on The New York Times Nonfiction best seller list for 1 week, from the issue of February 15, 1937. Wiki link