Rafael Sabatini (1875–1950) was born in Italy to two opera singers. He often joined his parents on their professional tours of Europe. In 1918, he became a British subject and worked for British Intelligence during World War I. He published his first novel, The Lovers of Yvonne, at the age of twenty-seven and continued to produce numerous historical novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, and biographies. Scaramouche was first published in 1921, followed by Captain Blood in 1922.
 
Gary Hoppenstand is a professor of American Studies at Michigan State University. He has published numerous articles and books on topics ranging from literature to popular culture, including Popular Fiction: An Anthology and In Search of the Paper Tiger.