Whosoever Shall Offend

Whosoever Shall Offend is a novel by F. Marion Crawford, first published in 1904. Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was an American writer known for his prolific output of novels, particularly in the genres of Gothic fiction, historical romance, and supernatural tales.

The novel is a psychological thriller that explores themes of guilt, deception, and moral corruption. It follows the story of a man who commits a terrible crime and is haunted by his actions, ultimately facing the consequences of his moral failings.

Whosoever Shall Offend is considered a compelling example of early 20th-century psychological fiction. Crawford was praised in his time for his storytelling, though his works later fell out of mainstream popularity.



About the Author

Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was a prolific American writer, best known for his numerous novels and classic weird and fantastical stories. Born in Italy, he spent much of his life abroad, particularly in Italy, which became the setting for many of his works.

Crawford was born in Bagni di Lucca, Italy, the only son of American sculptor Thomas Crawford. He received a diverse education, studying at St. Paul's School, Cambridge University, the University of Heidelberg, and the University of Rome. In 1879, he traveled to India, where he studied Sanskrit and edited the Allahabad Indian Herald. Upon returning to America, he continued his Sanskrit studies at Harvard and contributed to various periodicals.

His literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, Mr. Isaacs (1882), which quickly achieved success. This was followed by Doctor Claudius (1883). In 1883, he returned to Italy, where he resided permanently, eventually purchasing and remodeling the Villa Renzi, which became Villa Crawford, in Sant'Agnello. He also wrote historical works, including Ave Roma Immortalis (1898) and The Rulers of the South (1900).

Crawford was incredibly prolific, producing some forty novels and a play. At the height of his career, his books outsold those of any other contemporary fiction writer in England or the United States. He died in 1909 in Sorrento, Italy.