Frederick William Serafino Austin Lewis Mary Rolfe, Baron Corvo, was born in 1860 in London's Cheapside, and left home aged 14. In Oxford he spent time as a student, but failed to obtain a degree, so worked as a schoolmaster. In 1880, he privately published his first work: a pamphlet, Tarcissus: The Boy Martyr Of Rome.

Rolfe embraced Catholicism in 1886, and enrolled to train as a priest. Contemporaries recalled a poseur, an outsider. Peculiar and caustic of tongue, he was feared and mocked.

Rolfe had expensive tastes. His debts mounted. A ferocious smoker, his tobacco was ordered by the kilo.