This author wrote biographies of both Joseph Banks and Pablo Picasso, the latter of whom he befriended in Collioure (“call-YOOR”). A character created by this author feeds alcohol to a friend’s sloth, prompting the friend to complain “You have debauched my sloth!” One of this author’s characters elbows another in the ribs for beating time too enthusiastically during a performance of a string quartet by Pietro Locatelli on the island of Menorca. The cousins Sophia Williams and Diana Villiers are the wives of two friends created by this author who often play violin and cello together despite their sharply contrasting personalities. This author completed 20 historical novels about a Royal Navy captain and his ship’s surgeon, including The Fortune of War and Master and Commander. For 10 points, name this author of the Aubrey–Maturin series. ■END■
ANSWER: Patrick O’Brian [or Richard Patrick Russ]
<British Literature>
= Average correct buzz position