Norman Douglas was born in 1868 and was educated in England, Germany and France. He entered the diplomatic service in 1894 but was granted extended leave in 1896 to avoid a scandal. He settled in Italy and began to write seriously. Siren Land was published in 1911, Fountains in the Sand in 1912 and Old Calabria in 1915. Publication of South Wind in 1917 established his reputation but after this success he became and exile, living in Italy and travelling in India and Africa.