Though he's now best known as a writer, he made a living for years working in a branch of the civil service, and his job helped provide him with literary inspiration. Some people credit him with the invention of a certain useful, and later brightly-colored, convenience closely associated with his employment and with his country. Who was he, for what service did he work, and what is he said to have introduced?

MaggieG 5

Anthony Trollope - worked for the Post Office, and is said to have developed the pillar box (post box) which is often bright red in the UK. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Trollope Jul 18 06, 5:11 PM

lanfranco

And a silver mace (though perhaps it should be scarlet) to you, Maggie! I'm rather interested in the notion that Trollope "dipped into the lost-letter box" for ideas. Jul 18 06, 5:17 PM