Alexander Hay Japp (26 December 1836 – 29 September 1905) was a Scottish author, journalist and publisher.
Born at Dun, Angus, on 26 December 1836,[1] he was youngest son of Alexander Japp, a carpenter, by his wife Agnes Hay.
After his father's early death, the mother and her family moved to Montrose, where he was educated at Milne's school.
Three years later he moved to London, and for two years was employed in the East India department of Smith, Elder and Co.[2] Returning to Scotland in poor health, he worked for Messrs. Grieve and Oliver, Edinburgh hatters, and in his leisure in 1860–1 attended classes at the university in metaphysics, logic, and moral philosophy.
He became a double prizeman in rhetoric, and received from Professor William Edmondstoune Aytoun a special certificate of distinction; but he did not graduate.
While writing for other papers, he acted as general literary adviser to the publishing firm of Alexander Strahan (later William Isbister &Co.), and assisted in editing their periodicals: Good Words, Sunday Magazine (from 1869 to 1879), and The Contemporary Review from 1866 to 1872, while Henry Alford was editor.
[2] Japp's interest in Henry Thoreau brought him the acquaintance of Robert Louis Stevenson.
The two men met at Braemar in August 1881, and Japp's conversation attracted Stevenson and his father.