Grant Allen Collected editions

Grant Allen (1848 – 1899) was a Canadian-born science writer and novelist whose An African Millionaire: Episodes in the Life of the Illustrious Colonel Clay is considered one of the earliest works of crime fiction set partly in Africa. Told through linked short stories, it follows the exploits of a charming conman targeting a wealthy diamond magnate.

Allen’s combination of humor, suspense, and social satire made the work a lighthearted yet clever addition to colonial-era literature.

In Grant Allen’s hands, An African Millionaire became both an entertaining caper and a reflection of the intrigue surrounding the era’s economic and cultural exchanges.