Amelia Ann Blandford Edwards (1831 -1892) was an English novelist, journalist, lady traveler and Egyptologist. She published her first poem at the age of 7 and her first story at age 12. In the winter of 1873-1874, accompanied by several friends, Edwards toured Egypt, discovering a fascination with the land and its cultures, both ancient and modern. She and friends traveled on a manned houseboat. In the Days of My Youth was published in 1872. John Arbuthnot was a physician descended from generations of doctors. He educates his son to follow in his footsteps. His son finds home schooling hard and he missed his friends and cricket. Even though he does not want to be a doctor he studies hard and accepts his future. When Basil is 20, his father sends him to Paris to complete his studies under a famous French surgeon. . He learns as much about high society and low haunts as he does about medicine, and the experience makes him a better man.