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Percival Christopher Wren (1875-1941) was an English writer, best known for his adventure fiction. He was born in Deptford, Greater London, and his experiences in life significantly influenced his literary career. Before he settled into writing, Wren served in the French Foreign Legion, which became the backdrop for his most famous novel, 'Beau Geste,' and other works. Wren's writing is characterized by a rich depiction of legionnaire life and the harsh realities of desert warfare, which he described with authenticity stemming from his own experiences. 'The Wages of Virtue' is one such novel where Wren explores themes of honor, morality, and the complexities of human nature against the backdrop of military life. His work is often noted for its romanticism and the depiction of the stoic, brave, and principled English gentleman. Wren's novels, though less widely read today, were popular in his time and contributed to the romanticized image of the Foreign Legion. They often contained a mix of high adventure, camaraderie, and a deep sense of duty, which spoke to the contemporary audiences of the early twentieth century. While Wren did not achieve the lasting literary fame of some of his contemporaries, his work remains a testament to the genre of adventure and the lasting appeal of tales of valor and ethical dilemmas in extreme circumstances. |