Sir Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford was a British diplomat and writer, born in 1853. He is best known for his role as the first British Ambassador to Japan, serving from 1892 to 1896. His experiences in Japan led him to write several works on Japanese culture, including the influential book, Tales of Old Japan. In addition to his diplomatic career, Freeman-Mitford was a member of the Mitford family, a prominent British family known for their literary contributions. He was also an avid collector of Japanese art and artifacts, which reflected his deep appreciation for the culture he encountered during his time in Japan.