Paul Clifford by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Edward Bulwer-Lytton was a prominent English writer and politician in the 19th century.  Bulwer-Lytton is notable for being one of the first authors to earn a considerable fortune from just his books.  Bulwer-Lytton also was responsible for famous sayings such as "pursuit of the almighty dollar" and "the pen is mightier than the sword".  Some of his most famous works include The Last Days of Pompeii, The Coming Race, and Zanoni.

Paul Clifford, published in 1830, is a novel that tells the story of a man who leads a dual life as a criminal and an upstanding gentleman.  This book is notable as it coined the famous opening phrase "It was a dark and stormy night".