Melincourt is the second novel of Thomas Love Peacock, published in 1817. It is based on the "idea of an orang-outang mimicking humanity" [1] (see James Burnett, Lord Monboddo). An orangutan called Sir Oran Haut-ton is put forward as a candidate for election as a Member of Parliament.
The heroine, Anthelia, is said to have been inspired by Peacock's friendship with Justina Jeffreys, a mixed-race woman from Jamaica who had grown up as the ward of Edward Scott, Bodtalog. [2]
