George Tucker (29 August 1775-10 April 1861) was a novelist, biographer, historian, statistician, political economist, and professor at the University of Virginia. Tucker's name and work have always been familiar to American historians and political scientists, but it is only recently that his fiction is again receiving some attention.

Tucker was born on St. George's Island in the Bermudas into a well-established merchant family. He was tutored privately and read law. After his mother's death in 1975 Tucker decided to emigrate to America, further his education, and pursue a career.

Upon arriving in America, Tucker first visited Philadelphia, then visited his kinsman, St. George Tucker, who was a wealthy landowner, a versifier of some reputation, and a judge in the Virginia court system. St. George Tucker advised his young kinsman to enroll at William and Mary. Tucker took the advice and though he was a far from dedicated student he enjoyed...