Helps , Sir , Arthur , 1813-1875 , Knight , public servant and author

Arthur Helps was born in Balham, Surrey in 1813. He was educated at Eton and at Trinity College, Cambridge. After graduating, he entered the civil service, initially as private secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In 1843, Helps purchased a large estate in Hampshire and subsequently spent much of his time there writing both novels and non-fiction. He was concerned with social reform, which he addressed both in his writing and through fundraising. From 1860 until his death he served as Clerk of the Privy Council and edited some of the royal family's papers for publication. He was knighted in 1872.