Charles Grant Blairfindie Allen (February 24, 1848 - October 25, 1899) was a Canadian science writer and novelist, and a proponent of the theory of evolution He was educated at King Edward's School in Birmingham and at Merton College in Oxford, both in the United Kingdom.After graduation, Allen studied in France, taught at Brighton College in 1870-71 and in his mid-twenties became a professor at Queen's College, a black college in Jamaica. Despitehis religious father, Allen became an agnostic and a socialist. After leaving his professorship, in 1876 he returned to England, where he turned his talents to writing, gaining a reputation for his essays on science and for literary works. MISS CAYLEY'S ADVENTURES Miss Cayley's Adventures sees her travelling the world, meeting a range of eccentric characters. An enjoyable read, featuring one of the first female detectives, and is illustrated throughout.