Patrick O’Brian (1914-2000) was an English novelist best known for his acclaimed Aubrey/Maturin series of historical novels. Set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, O’Brian’s 20-book series centers on the enduring friendship between naval officer Jack Aubrey and physician (and spy) Stephen Maturin. The Far Side of the World, the tenth book in the series, was adapted into a popular film.