John Payne Collier.

John Payne Collier (1789 – 1883), was an English Shakespearean critic and forger. He was a friend of Charles Dickens.

Photograph of John Payne Collier (believed to date from approximately 1880).

Charles Dickens and John Payne Collier.

John Payne Collier was born in London on January 11, 1789. Collier’s father, John Dyer Collier (1762–1825), was a successful journalist, and his connection with the press obtained for his son a position on The Morning Chronicle as leader writer, dramatic critic and reporter, which continued until 1847. He was also for some time a reporter for The Times.

It was during his time at The Morning Chronicle he met and worked alongside Charles Dickens.

Further Reading (external sources).

Click here to view the Wikipedia entry for John Payne Collier.