Edward Dutton, the second son, was born at 9 Grenville Street, Brunswick Square, London, on 30 January 1829.

Having studied painting under Rolt, and learned engraving, he at one time sought employment on Punch as a draughtsman on wood.

About this period, in conjunction with Mr. Leopold Lewis, he wrote a melodrama entitled The Dove and the Serpent, which was produced with much success, under Mr. Nelson Lee's management, at the City of London Theatre.

He was the writer of numerous articles on art topics in various reviews, newspapers, and periodicals, and the author of many works of fiction.

Of the latter, Paul Foster's Daughter, his first work, served to establish his reputation, and the production of The Trials of the Tredgolds in the following year (1862) in Temple Bar was a great literary success.