A half-length portrait to the right. The sitter looks away from the viewer, his right hand resting on his right cheek. He wears a black coat, and the pose implies a man of letters. After an active naval career Marryat retired from service in 1830. He thereafter turned to journalism and wrote a series of successful novels about the sea, based largely on his own experience, particularly those relating to his service in 'Impérieuse', 38 guns. The painting was exhibited at the RA in 1839, under the title 'Captain Marryat, R.N., author of Peter Simple' (no. 453). 'Peter Simple' was published in 1834.