John Metcalfe was born in Heacham, Norfolk, England, on October 6, 1891. He graduated from the University of London in 1913, after which he taught in Paris until 1914. During World War I, he served in the Royal Naval Division, the Royal Naval Air Service, and ultimately the Royal Air Force.

After the war, Metcalfe taught at Highgate Junior School in London and began writing. His first book, The Smoking Leg and Other Stories was published in 1925. After its publication, he abandoned teaching to begin writing full time.

Metcalfe emigrated to the United States in 1928, where he began writing Arm's Length while serving as a barge captain on the East River. On March 17, 1930, Metcalfe married the American novelist Evelyn Scott.

After his service in World War II in the British Royal Air Force, Metcalfe taught schools in Dorset and Hampstead before returning to the United States, where he taught at schools in Connecticut and New York.

Evelyn Scott died in August 1963, after suffering from heart disease, a lung tumor, and mental health problems. Metcalfe suffered a breakdown after her death and was hospitalized. After his release in October 1964, he returned to England, where he died on July 31, 1965, as the result of a fall.

Although Metcalfe is best known as an author of science fiction and horror stories, he also wrote novels and some poetry.

Novels

• Brenner's Boy (1932)
• Arm's Length
• Spring Darkness' (US title: Mrs Condover)
• Foster-Girl (US title: Sally)
• All Friends Are Strangers
• The Feasting Dead (1954)

Collections

• The Smoking Leg, and Other Stories (1925)
• Judas, and Other Stories (1931)
• Nightmare Jack and Other Tales (1998)