Geoffrey Stapleton
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| Portrayed by Lee Pace | |
| Full Name | Geoffrey Stapleton |
|---|---|
| Associated Noble House(s) | N/A |
| Date of Birth | 12 July 1780 |
| Father | Sir Roderick Stapleton II |
| Father's Rank | Baronet |
| Mother | Angela, Lady Stapleton |
| Mother's Rank | Lady |
| Town Residence | The Albany |
| School | Sherborne |
| University | |
| Profession | Translator |
Geoffrey Stapleton is played by Shar
Family
- Father: Sir Roderick Stapleton II (b. 1735) (Baronet)
- Mother: Lady Angela Stapleton (b. 1748)
- Brother: Roderick Stapleton III (b. 1772), Gerald Stapleton (b. 1776)
Background
Geoffrey, the third and youngest son of a baronet living in Boscastle, Cornwall, was, as per custom, groomed for the church. His studies were extensive and included a focus on languages, including Latin, Greek and Hebrew. He went along with it, not knowing any better, and kept his interest in writing original work as a mere hobby, until he was sent to theological seminary upon finishing school. There, a scandal erupted when another student was found to be in love with a highly unsuitable local miss and expelled. Geoffrey could not resist, and soon penned a short satirical novel around the incident. It was well-received among his classmates, and on a lark he toned down the satire, changed a few specifics, and sent the story to a local publisher under a false name.
The piece was not accepted, but to his surprise further romantic novels were solicited. He obliged, and his next effort was published and proved embarrassingly successful. He has many times reflected on his good fortune in selecting a false name to write under. Geoffrey Stapleton cannot be a hack writer; the unknown Adam Lane can do whatever he pleases.
Since he enjoyed the writing, and was finding the prospect of life as a clergyman not especially stimulating, he shortly thereafter left the seminary and took a flat in London. To explain the situation to his parents--because only one person, an agent, knew of his career, and he wanted to keep it that way--he told them he had begun to take in translating work, and proceeded to do so. Not too much, though--there's a limit to how much work a man wants to do!
Ten years later, he has written a number of popular books and remains rather embarrassed by his career. He has successfully managed to keep it a secret, though one friend has found him out, and he has told one woman.
Geoffrey is an average-looking man. Average height, average build. He does possess spectacles, though he wears them only for reading and, generally, only when no one else is around. His features are neither uncommonly plain nor uncommonly handsome; his hair is brown, his eyes are hazel, and his hands are usually gloved due to unsightly ink-stains. While not entirely a dandy, Geoffrey likes to look good, and so does follow fashion with reasonable care--or allows his valet to. He sometimes seems to be dressed ever-so-slightly above his apparent means as a translator and youngest son.
Friends
Lady Viola Fitzgerald