This nonfiction work investigates the mysterious link between a family’s history and a French writer.

Daniel Fallon inherited two letters after his father’s death in 1989 that were written to Thomas Fallon, the author’s great-great-grandfather, in 1817 and sent by Hyacinthe Pilorge, a secretary. Pilorge worked for the influential writer, diplomat, and historian François-René de Chateaubriand (1768-1848). One letter included Chateaubriand’s signature, a capital C, and one was signed by Pilorge; both concerned Thomas’ education. It seemed likely that these letters could relate to a family legend that Irish girl Mary O’Neill offered food and shelter to Chateaubriand in the 1790s when he was living in London in dire straits. She later married Patrick Fallon and had a son named Thomas. Before returning to France, the grateful Chateaubriand pledged to educate the boy. Eventually, Thomas immigrated to Colombia, where he distinguished himself as a mining engineer and sired a line of similarly accomplished descendants. But why did Chateaubriand, often strapped for money, follow through on his promise? Could he have fathered Mary’s child? After a short Chateaubriand biography, Daniel Fallon’s book details his painstaking research into historical records, genealogy, and other sources—including DNA—to discover the truth and its significance. The author, a professor emeritus at the University of Maryland at College Park, writes an informed, intelligent study that’s part history, part mystery. By nailing down “the Fallon affair,” the volume makes a real contribution to Chateaubriand scholarship. It also serves to demonstrate how a fine education can considerably boost a family’s fortunes. The legend of the Irish girl adds a romantic layer to the author’s diligent digging, and though a good deal of speculation, maybes, and might-haves draw these reflections together, the reasoning is plausible and well supported.

An engaging historical treasure hunt with some intriguing findings.