Alfred Austin (1835–1913) was a writer and poet. He wrote for many years for the Conservative paper The Standard, and held the position of Poet Laureate from 1896 until his death in 1913. Austin sent two copies of this Diamond Jubilee poem to Queen Victoria. This copy came with a splendid presentation binding in dark blue goatskin by the binder Zaehnsdorf, decorated with VRI motifs. The text was printed on vellum and Austin inscribed it "To The Best and most loved of Monarchs from Her Poet Laureate, Alfred Austin. With Humble Duty".