Winifred was born in south-west Surrey. Her father, David, was described in the 1881 census return as an ‘Australian merchant’. He was a native of Tasmania and by the late 19th century had amassed a sufficient fortune to be ‘living on his own means.’ In 1914 he purchased Longstock House, to the north of Stockbridge, but died before he had time to move in. However, the house was substantially modernised in 1915 with the installation of electricity and a telephone and Mrs Beddington and her children, including Winifred, lived there until her death in 1945, when it was bought by John Spedan…

Of the huge number of guidebooks for walkers published over the years, An Historical Account of Winchester, with Descriptive Walks published in 1817 by Charles Ball set a standard rarely bettered. His firm objective was to improve on previous attempts to recount the history and antiquities of Winchester, which he regarded as ‘little better than dry unconnected catalogues of historical fact, intermingled with a series of doubtful occurrences, or filled with tedious details of obsolete charters …’.  The Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 20 April 2018, published a glowing review, saying that it was ‘written in a style at once pleasing and…

Today, the name of F.J. Baigent is best known as the co-author with the Rev J.E. Millard (1823-1894) of the monumental History of the Ancient Town and Manor of Basingstoke, published in 1889. Baigent was already a distinguished antiquarian, whilst Millard had only written minor works on the area when, in 1882, he became a minor canon of Winchester Cathedral. where almost certainly he engaged the talents and experience of Baigent. Apart from this and works on heraldry and a history of the Church of Our Lady (now St Mathew’s) Weeke, near Winchester (a source used in the VCH), most…

Frances Awdry was the eighth child of Sir John Wither Awdry Kt, who served as Chief Justice in Bombay before returning home to live at Notton House, Lacock, in Wiltshire. Her brother Vere Awdry (1854 –1928) one-time vicar of Ampfield, was the father of Wilbert Vere Awdry (1911-1997) author of the Thomas the Tank Engine books for children.

This is not the place to repeat the well-documented life of one of England’s most celebrated novelists, but the huge amount of writing about her incidentally provides an intimate picture of her period. Not only does it vividly illuminate life in the north of the county in and around Basingstoke, but also elsewhere, in Bath, Southampton and Winchester.

Elinor Aubrey was born in Southampton and until her retirement she spent her whole life in the town. Census records indicate that her father was an ‘elementary school master’ and in the 1901 census return her occupation is shown as that of ‘teacher’ (with the enumerator incorrectly adding the word ‘school’). The 1911 census shows her employer as University College. When she retired in 1931 it was noted that she had been a lecturer in the English Department for 35 years. Following her retirement she moved to Ryde on the Isle of Wight, where she died aged 85.

The son of a clergyman, he was educated at Rossall School, Lancashire, and University College, London, and studied architecture under Sir Arthur Blomfield. He spent much of his early working life as an architect in partnership with C.W. Long in an office in Trumpington Street, Cambridge. He gained a reputation for medieval architecture through his work at Ely. The Hon. Archivist, Elizabeth Stazicker, comments. ‘TD Atkinson, who was Surveyor to the Dean and Chapter of Ely Cathedral from 1906 to 1920, is very important to us here both for his An Architectural History of the Benedictine Monastery of St Ethelreda at…

In 1960 he became the City Archivist for Winchester after 32 years lecturing at Winchester Training College, later named King Alfred’s College, and then transformed into the University of Winchester, where he is remembered by the Tom Atkinson Building.

Ashley-Cooper was born at Bermondsey, in metropolitan Surrey, and lived for most of his life in rural Surrey. When he died his home was at Milford, near Godalming. Throughout his life Cooper’s passion was cricket, in particular the history of the game and the statistics it generated. Ironically, as recorded in his Wikipedia entry, ‘Frail and short-sighted, he never played cricket, and seldom watched, but his “total involvement in the game almost precluded every other interest”’.

Born in Derbyshire, son of a family prominent in civic affairs, Walter Andrew attended Rugby School and qualified as a  solicitor in 1882. 

Born in Southampton, Anderson’s father was John Ridgerson Anderson a partner in a ship brokerage firm involved with the Australian trade and sufficiently wealthy to be able to send his son to Winchester College. From there Roger went to Clare College Cambridge. Married in 1916, he and his wife Romola had no children. Described as ‘independently wealthy’ he was able to devote all his time and energy to his interests in naval history. Thus, he played a leading role in the early years and subsequent development of the Society of Nautical Research. In 1927 Anderson became a member of the…

H.S. Altham was a Winchester College housemaster (1913-1946), who had a distinguished WW1 record. After the war, he wrote the first history of cricket, which went to at least four editions with E.W. Swanton a later co-author. In 1945, he became joint editor ofWinchester Cathedral Record, becoming sole editor in 1948 and contributing a wide range of historical articles until his death in 1965. 

His father, Herbert Allen, was a hatter, who married Mary Taswell, the daughter of a surgeon and apothecary of Huguenot extraction. Her father refused to receive her after the marriage, but was, however, willing to see her son, Lake, who benefitted from his grandfather’s library and love of learning. His grandfather was also a role model, as in 1775 he had published anonymously The Portsmouth Guide, and 15 years later A New Portsmouth Guide. Similar works published at the turn of the century included in 1799 The Ancient and Modern History of Portesmouth [sic] by J. Watts (though Webb, in…

Oswald Guy Stanhope Crawford, often known as Ogs, was a towering figure in archaeology in the first half of the twentieth century. He was also an author, editor, photographer, Marxist social critic and a cat mimic.

Oswald Guy Stanhope Crawford, often known as Ogs, was a towering figure in archaeology in the first half of the twentieth century. He was also an author, editor, photographer, Marxist social critic and a cat mimic.

Frank Cottrill was born in in Walthamstow but grew up in Torquay. His father was a keen amateur photographer and artist and his parents spent much of their leisure time looking at churches and archaeological sites, firing their son’s interest in the subject.

Eleanor Swift was a Founder’s Scholar at Royal Holloway College, University of London, going on to take an MA degree in 1929, with a thesis on medieval manorial administration based on the Winchester Pipe Rolls.  Awarded a Commonwealth Fund Fellowship, she worked at the Huntington Library, California from 1931 to 1933 and, on her return, as an archivist at the BBC.In 1937, she was appointed Keeper of Archives at Leicester Museum where she was able to hone the principles to be followed by a modern record office and where, in 1940, she married Frank Cottrill, who was Keeper of Archaeology…

Mary Aylwin Marshall was born on the Isle of Man to Robert Marshall, a Doctor of Medicine and his wife Anna.  She was one of the first students to train at the London School of Medicine for Women, qualifying as a doctor.  In 1928 however, having met and married Thomas Cotton, a Canadian cardiologist, she retired from medicine and turned her energies to archaeology.

Mary Aylwin Marshall was born on the Isle of Man to Robert Marshall, a Doctor of Medicine and his wife Anna.  She was one of the first students to train at the London School of Medicine for Women, qualifying as a doctor.  In 1928 however, having met and married Thomas Cotton, a Canadian cardiologist, she retired from medicine and turned her energies to archaeology.

George Cornwallis-West was the great-great-grandson of John Whitby, the flag captain of Admiral Sir William Cornwallis (1744-1819) of Milford-on-Sea. He was an unlikely historian, but his two historical works are of considerable value. Educated at Eton, he was more interested in hunting, shooting and fishing than academe. He was a champion army horse rider, and his later book on fishing is highly regarded in the sport.

William was the son of Lieutenant- General E.R. Cope. He was born in France, where his parents had been detained from 1803 to 1813. He had Irish connections and undertook part of his higher education at Trinity College, Dublin, from where he graduated with a BA degree in 1831. Initially serving in the Rifle Brigade, in 1839 he took Holy Orders. He was chaplain of Westminster Hospital from 1843 to 1851 and a minor canon and librarian of Westminster Abbey.

William was the son of Lieutenant- General E.R. Cope. He was born in France, where his parents had been detained from 1803 to 1813. He had Irish connections and undertook part of his higher education at Trinity College, Dublin, from where he graduated with a BA degree in 1831. Initially serving in the Rifle Brigade, in 1839 he took Holy Orders. He was chaplain of Westminster Hospital from 1843 to 1851 and a minor canon and librarian of Westminster Abbey.

Lieutenant Colonel Cooke had a diverse career, including the military, early aeronautics and the geology of Malta, before settling in Southsea in 1921.  Once there he devoted his considerable energies to studying the early history of the area and communicating it widely, not through the medium of the Field Club and academic publication, but rather by lectures, newspaper reports and the formation of the Portsmouth Geological and Archaeological Society.

Lieutenant Colonel Cooke had a diverse career, including the military, early aeronautics and the geology of Malta, before settling in Southsea in 1921.  Once there he devoted his considerable energies to studying the early history of the area and communicating it widely, not through the medium of the Field Club and academic publication, but rather by lectures, newspaper reports and the formation of the Portsmouth Geological and Archaeological Society.

Arthur Cook was educated at Winchester College 1863-1869. He was a scholar and won nearly all the major school prizes, followed by a scholarship to New College, Oxford, in 1869. After a 1st in Mods and Greats, he returned to teach at Winchester in 1875 and retired in 1911. He was a housemaster during that time.

Frances Collins was born in South Wales and her early interest in archaeology and local history was awakened while being driven around her father’s country doctor practices.  She attended Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, reading Modern History and graduated in 1921. A career in teaching followed, culminating in her appointment as Head of St Saviour’s and St Olave’s Grammar School, Southwark.Upon her retirement in 1959 she moved to Meonstoke and was able to devote her energies to helping organize various aspects of the Hampshire Field Club – and to local history. Her own researches focused on the Meon Valley and with…

Frances Collins was born in South Wales and her early interest in archaeology and local history was awakened while being driven around her father’s country doctor practices.  She attended Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, reading Modern History and graduated in 1921. A career in teaching followed, culminating in her appointment as Head of St Saviour’s and St Olave’s Grammar School, Southwark.Upon her retirement in 1959 she moved to Meonstoke and was able to devote her energies to helping organize various aspects of the Hampshire Field Club – and to local history. Her own researches focused on the Meon Valley and with…

A farmer, soldier, journalist and publisher, as well as economic commentator and politician, Cobbett led an event-laden life that took him to North America and France, and many corners of Britain, interspersed with spells in gaol. He therefore has links to many counties, though Hampshire has a particular claim since, between 1805 and 1817, he farmed at Botley. At first, he lived in Botley House (opposite Botley Mills, demolished in the mid-1800s) and owned the nearby farm, Fairthorn (now Fairthorne Manor). In 1812, after two years in Newgate Prison for debt, following a trial for ‘seditious libel’, he moved for…

A farmer, soldier, journalist and publisher, as well as economic commentator and politician, Cobbett led an event-laden life that took him to North America and France, and many corners of Britain, interspersed with spells in gaol. He therefore has links to many counties, though Hampshire has a particular claim since, between 1805 and 1817, he farmed at Botley. At first, he lived in Botley House (opposite Botley Mills, demolished in the mid-1800s) and owned the nearby farm, Fairthorn (now Fairthorne Manor). In 1812, after two years in Newgate Prison for debt, following a trial for ‘seditious libel’, he moved for…

Robert Hawley Clutterbuck was born to Charles Clutterbuck ‘citizen and draper of London’ and his wife Hannah, on the first day of 1837.  He was ordained in 1864 and served at Plaistow and Clerkenwell before moving, in 1880, to St Mary Aldermanbury, City of London.  Failing health, brought on by overwork, caused him to leave London and in 1882 he became Rector of Knight’s Enham, Hampshire, moving to the adjacent living of Penton Mewsey eight years later. He was twice married; first to Harriet Washington, with whom he had a son and three daughters.  She died in 1875, and he later…

Chaloner was the eldest son of William Lyde Wiggett who took the surname Chute when he inherited the Vyne Estate situated in the parish of Sherbone St John, just north of Basingstoke. Chaloner was ‘educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford; gained the Ireland University Scholarship in 1860; took his degree with first class classical honours in 1861’, [and] was awarded his M.A, in 1864. A Fellow of Magdalen College from 1861, he was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in June 1865 and gave up his fellowship in 1875.

Herbert Chitty was educated at Winchester College from 1876 to 1882 and then went on to Balliol College, Oxford to read Classics. He was a barrister at Inner Temple from 1889 and worked on the Western Circuit. In 1903, he was appointed Secretary to the Warden and Fellows of Winchester College. He held this job until 1927, along with roles as House Bursar 1907-11, Home Bursar 1911-1927 and Steward of the College Manors from 1911 to 1949. Added to these various roles, Chitty was also Keeper of Archives at Winchester College from 1927 to 1949. He wrote widely on all…

Melville Child was a native of Appleshaw, a village located just to the west of Andover, and a former Andover Grammar school pupil.  He spent most of his working life teaching classics at Kettering Grammar School but on retirement, was able to devote his time and energy to exploring the local history of the area from which he originated.

Melville Child was a native of Appleshaw, a village located just to the west of Andover, and a former Andover Grammar school pupil.  He spent most of his working life teaching classics at Kettering Grammar School but on retirement, was able to devote his time and energy to exploring the local history of the area from which he originated.

Apart from the fact that he was the Clerk to the Chapter of Winchester Cathedral during the Civil War, and his wife is buried in the chancel of St John’s church in the Soke, virtually nothing is known of John Chase. Yet he is one of the heroes of the world of archives, for minimising the damage inflicted on the muniments of the cathedral by Parliamentary soldiers.  Waller’s soldiers, fired up by an order in the House of Commons in September 1641 to ‘cleanse’ churches, after taking the city in December of the next year, sacked the cathedral and close….

Apart from the fact that he was the Clerk to the Chapter of Winchester Cathedral during the Civil War, and his wife is buried in the chancel of St John’s church in the Soke, virtually nothing is known of John Chase. Yet he is one of the heroes of the world of archives, for minimising the damage inflicted on the muniments of the cathedral by Parliamentary soldiers.  Waller’s soldiers, fired up by an order in the House of Commons in September 1641 to ‘cleanse’ churches, after taking the city in December of the next year, sacked the cathedral and close….

Annie was born in Paddington and appears to have resided for most of her life in this part of London. Her death was recorded in Hampstead. She never married. Nothing has been discovered about her education or what stimulated her interest in history, beyond noting that at some point she was awarded a BSc. In 1907 an article by her, ‘The Commercial Relations of England and Portugal, 1487-1807’, was published in The Transactions of the Royal Historical Society. This had clearly involved a considerable amount of original research by Annie.

Marjorie Chandler was a significant member of the Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society. She was born in Leamington Spa, the oldest of six children of Frederick Augustus, a jeweller, and Alice Sarah (née Roberts). She studied at Leamington High School and Cambridge University, ‘graduating’ in 1919 with first class honours in Natural Sciences. (Cambridge did not formally award degrees to women until 1948).

Captain Charles Cave FRAS, FSA was a man of many parts – an officer during WWI, a notable meteorologist, astronomer and a church historian. Much of his work stemmed from his interest in and technical skills with early telephotography. His term in the Meteorological Section of the Royal Engineers led him to take many photographs of clouds, giving him the skills later in life to take more than 8,000 photographs of the roof carvings of medieval churches and cathedrals, including Winchester Cathedral. He also measured the orientation of a large number of churches and discovered that only 103 of 642…

The Rev. S.H. Cassan was born in India, where his father, also named Stephen (1758-1794), a barrister originally from Ireland, founded the Bengal Journal, a weekly newspaper, and practised in public administration. Cassan junior went up to Magdalen College Oxford, after which like so many of his kind he was ordained.

If anyone can be described as the doyenne (or doyen) of Hampshire history in the second half of the last century it must be Barbara Carpenter Turner (no hyphen). For half a century she played a prominent part in almost every organization that was involved in studies of the past. When the Queen and Prince Philip paid a visit to Winchester in July 1955, it was she who drafted a paper on ‘The City and the Crown’ (HRO, W/C2/6/45/A).

If anyone can be described as the doyenne (or doyen) of Hampshire history in the second half of the last century it must be Barbara Carpenter Turner (no hyphen). For half a century she played a prominent part in almost every organization that was involved in studies of the past. When the Queen and Prince Philip paid a visit to Winchester in July 1955, it was she who drafted a paper on ‘The City and the Crown’ (HRO, W/C2/6/45/A).

Capes was a particularly brilliant example of a clergyman scholar at the University of Oxford, where in 1870 he became Reader in Ancient History. He wrote several general works on ancient Rome and other Classical subjects and between about 1905 and his death transcribed and edited six volumes on the charters and records of Hereford Cathedral, where he was a residentiary canon. Also, in 1903, with the dean of Winchester, W.R.W. Stephens, he coedited The Bishops of Winchester: Birinus to Stigand and Walkelin to Gardiner.

Capes was a particularly brilliant example of a clergyman scholar at the University of Oxford, where in 1870 he became Reader in Ancient History. He wrote several general works on ancient Rome and other Classical subjects and between about 1905 and his death transcribed and edited six volumes on the charters and records of Hereford Cathedral, where he was a residentiary canon. Also, in 1903, with the dean of Winchester, W.R.W. Stephens, he coedited The Bishops of Winchester: Birinus to Stigand and Walkelin to Gardiner.

Bernard was the eldest of seven children born to Harry and Margaret Calkin, of Hampstead, London.  He was educated at Westminster and Jesus College, Cambridge, obtaining a first in theology and winning the University Hebrew Prize and the Keller Prize.  As he was a Westminster King’s Scholar, he attended the Coronation of King George 5th in 1911 and was one of the boys who shouted the traditional ‘Vivat’.

Born at Burgh Next Aylsham in Norfolk, Butterfield was initially employed as a gardener. In 1896, however, he was accepted for the CMS Preparatory Institution and the Church Missionary College in 1897. Three years later, he passed his 2nd Class Preliminary Theological Examination and was accepted as a missionary.

Born in Lancashire, Canon Bussby was a scholar at St John’s College, Durham and then an exhibitioner at Wadham College, Oxford. He was a curate in an industrial parish in Lancashire and then vice-principal of Clifton Theological College. He joined the Army in 1936 and was a Chaplain in France, Greece, Crete and North Africa, where he was awarded the MBE. By the end of the WW2 he was Staff Chaplain to Field Marshal Montgomery.

Born in Lancashire, Canon Bussby was a scholar at St John’s College, Durham and then an exhibitioner at Wadham College, Oxford. He was a curate in an industrial parish in Lancashire and then vice-principal of Clifton Theological College. He joined the Army in 1936 and was a Chaplain in France, Greece, Crete and North Africa, where he was awarded the MBE. By the end of the WW2 he was Staff Chaplain to Field Marshal Montgomery.

Sidney Burrard was born at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, where his father Revd Sir George Burrard (3rd baronet) was the rector. As the third son, his expectations of inheritance were limited, but the baronetcy did indeed pass through him and on to his son. He served in the Grenadier Guards, as had his grandfather, Lt Colonel William Burrard, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel two years before the portrait below was taken.

Burgess was born in Chelmsford but at the time of the 1911 Census he was living with his parents in Kingston-upon-Thames. By 1939 he had moved to Southampton holding the post of Deputy Librarian since 1934. At the time he was the only professional librarian on the staff. He remained in the Library Service until his retirement in 1966. He was a founder member of the Friends of Old Southampton and supported the Southampton Archaeological Society and City of Southampton Society. A keen interest in the preservation and utilisation of Southampton’s archives was instrumental in him salvaging, during the Second…

Born in the Southampton Parish of Holy Rood, Bullar lived his whole life in the town. A schoolmaster for nearly four decades, he taught many of those who were to become the town’s civic leaders. As it was put in an obituary published in the Southampton Times “The life of Mr Bullar is in fact the life of Southampton during the past fifty years”.

Born at Newport on the Isle of Wight, Brannon initially followed his father’s profession of printing and engraving. Moving to Southampton, in about 1845 he set up his own business. Subsequently, his interests widened to include architecture and engineering. Relocating to Shanklin in 1863, by the mid 1870s he was settled in London. Like many others, he acquired a particular fascination with flying machines.

The ‘first historian’ of Alresford, Robert Boyes, was a native of the town, born to John Boyes and his wife Mary (nee Russell).  Educated at the Free Grammar School, he was elected its master at the age of 21. Taking up residence in the schoolmaster’s house at 60 West Street, he was joined by Ann Bassett, having married her in December 1744.

George Boon was one of the leading Roman archaeologists of his generation.  His excavations, principally at Silchester in the north of the county, as well as on sites in Wales, were complemented by his comprehensive knowledge of Roman artefacts and coins.

G.H. Blore was a student (1882-89) and schoolmaster (1902-1930) at Winchester College. Much of his historical research and writing came after his retirement from the College in 1930. He was an inaugural member of the Friends of Winchester Cathedral (FOWC) in 1931 and editor of the annual Winchester Cathedral Record from 1935 until he handed over to his successor, H.S. Altham, in 1945/46.

Ernest was born in Breslau in eastern Germany. His family, described as ‘professional and academic … with a liberal tradition’, came to England as refugees in 1935. He was educated at the Dragon School in Oxford and the Leys School in Cambridge, where the family initially settled, and soon become proficient in English.

Educated at Charterhouse and Trinity College, Cambridge, he was the son of Dr Samuel Birch, Keeper of the Department of Oriental Antiquities at the British Museum, where he too worked between 1864 and 1907 in the Department of Manuscripts.

A Yorkshireman and graduate of Cambridge University, William Bingley was ordained in 1799, becoming a curate at Christchurch (Hants.) from 1802 to 1817, before moving on to Fitzroy Chapel in London. He published several books on botany and zoology, which were popular and went through multiple editions.

He is being included in the CHH project not because, as far as we know, he made any contribution to the history of the county, but because he was and is an internationally recognized scholar whose work on ecclesiastical history, The Antiquities of the Christian Church, 1706-1722, is probably still unsurpassed. Its importance is emphasized by the fact that it was translated into Latin and German, and is widely quoted and freely available online. For 20 years, whilst rector of Headbourne Worthy, near Winchester, he made use of the books that had been bequeathed in 1684 by Bishop George Morley…

Bigg-Wither came from a family that had been seated at Manydown Park, Wootton St Lawrence, since 1789, when his great-grandfather, Lovelace Bigg, had inherited the estate from William Wither on the condition that he take on the name of the Wither family, which had farmed lands on lease from the dean and chapter of Winchester since at least 1402. In 1874 (or 1871) the Rev. Lovelace Bigg-Wither, son of Harris Bigg-Wither (the overnight fiancé of Jane Austen) and the father of the subject of this profile sold the estate to Edward Bates MP.

Samuel Best was Rector of Abbotts Ann, near Andover, from 1831 to 1873, and instrumental in founding a (non-denominational) village school, long before such institutions were required by law.  He also created the Abbotts Ann Provident Society, believing that labouring families should not be denied the benefits of Victorian progress.

He was a genealogist who in 1833 published a substantial volume on the pedigrees of prominent families in the county. It was one of a series of volumes on mainly southern counties that he published between 1830 and 1842, when he was forging a career as a genealogical writer, based on his experience as a ‘writing clerk’ to the registrar for the College of Arms between 1793 and 1809.

Arthur Bennett was born in Bridge Street, Andover, son of music teacher and church organist William Bennett (1822–1901) who founded a music school there in his early twenties.  Arthur, his brother George and sisters, Agatha and Agnes, were all musically gifted and made their living as teachers and performers at various levels.

The Venerable Bede is known as ‘the father of history’ and is included in CHH as he was probably the first person to mention any place in what became Hampshire. In his The Ecclesiastical History of England, written in about 731, he described the foundation of the diocese of the West Saxons, and later the diocese of Winchester, an act that influenced much of the subsequent history of the county. Bede’s main source seems to have been Daniel, bishop of Winchester c.705-744, termed elsewhere an ‘intimate friend’. He was, of course, writing at a time when neither the county of…

‘[With] the death of Mr. William Dale’ states the obituary notice in Volume 10 of the Proceedings, ‘the Hampshire Field Club lost one who served it faithfully and enthusiastically nearly from its foundation.’

Max Dacre was a ‘Geordie’ who left school at 13 and was in Jarrow at the time of the ‘Jarrow March’ (1936).  This early experience fostered in him a fighting spirit which was evident throughout his life.

Max Dacre was a ‘Geordie’ who left school at 13 and was in Jarrow at the time of the ‘Jarrow March’ (1936).  This early experience fostered in him a fighting spirit which was evident throughout his life.

William Curtis was born in Alton, Hampshire one of ten children of William Curtis and Elizabeth (nee Heath). Privately educated, then apprenticed to his father, an apothecary/surgeon, he spent time in Edinburgh and London before joining his father’s practice.

William Curtis was born in Alton, Hampshire one of ten children of William Curtis and Elizabeth (nee Heath). Privately educated, then apprenticed to his father, an apothecary/surgeon, he spent time in Edinburgh and London before joining his father’s practice.

He was a rare example of someone born to wealth and position who wrote about his ancestors (rather than asking others to do so) with a frankness and objectivity that is rare in family histories of the great and good. For the last three years of his life he held the title 8th Baron Sherborne, passed down the line from his great-grandfather, John Dutton, 2nd Baron.

He was the only son of a namesake father, who was prominent lawyer in the county, Clerk of the Peace to Winchester Court, Deputy Clerk to the Bishopric of Winchester, and Receiver General of Land Taxes in Hampshire. He owned New House Ropley, (still standing, renamed Ropley House) built by an earlier owner in the mid-1700s, and a substantial estate. Duthy senior died in 1784, and so his son, who had been educated at Charterhouse School, was already in line for an inheritance when in 1787 he went up to St John’s College, Cambridge. He did not graduate, but after…

He was the only son of a namesake father, who was prominent lawyer in the county, Clerk of the Peace to Winchester Court, Deputy Clerk to the Bishopric of Winchester, and Receiver General of Land Taxes in Hampshire. He owned New House Ropley, (still standing, renamed Ropley House) built by an earlier owner in the mid-1700s, and a substantial estate. Duthy senior died in 1784, and so his son, who had been educated at Charterhouse School, was already in line for an inheritance when in 1787 he went up to St John’s College, Cambridge. He did not graduate, but after…

Herbert Druitt was born in Christchurch, then in Hampshire, to James and Matilda Druitt. He trained as a lawyer, but was essentially a man of leisure, putting his energies into brass rubbing and collecting an enormous range of archaeological and historical material which he hoarded in various family-owned properties around the town.

Herbert Druitt was born in Christchurch, then in Hampshire, to James and Matilda Druitt. He trained as a lawyer, but was essentially a man of leisure, putting his energies into brass rubbing and collecting an enormous range of archaeological and historical material which he hoarded in various family-owned properties around the town.

It would be easy to believe that the history of Eastleigh began in 1890, when the Carriage and Wagon Works was transferred by the London and South Western Railway from Nine Elms in London, thereby creating a rich tapestry of industry and town.

It would be easy to believe that the history of Eastleigh began in 1890, when the Carriage and Wagon Works was transferred by the London and South Western Railway from Nine Elms in London, thereby creating a rich tapestry of industry and town.

A good example of an amateur local historian who gained the respect of professional historians, John Drew achieved what he did as a result of poor health and private means. Not benefiting from an education at major schools or university, at the age of 17 he joined the family London-based firm Drew and Sons, which dealt in ‘high-grade travel goods and silverware’.

Stephen Dewar was born at Andover, the third child of Albemarle O’Beirne Willoughby Dewar and Florence Wilhelmina Rose, née Matthews.  Dewar was the great grandson of David Dewar, who is listed as an awardee in the 1830s, for compensation for manumitted property for the Dewar’s estate* on St Kitts, in the West Indies.

Daniel Defoe was a prolific writer, producing more than 300 works on a range of subjects. He is famed for his novel Robinson Crusoe (1719) but, often at odds with authority, he also spent time in prison and the stocks! His life involved spells as a merchant, landowner, traveller, bankrupt and secret agent.  His finest work, other than his novels, is the majestic A tour thro’ the whole island of Great Britain (1724-27) a sweeping view of the kingdom on the eve of the Industrial Revolution.

George Godwin was born in Winchester to Edwin Godwin, a draper, who later became a farmer at Melksham, and his wife Mary (nee Tugwell).  By the age of 22 he had passed through the London College of Divinity at Highbury, being ordained deacon in 1869. The following year he entered the priesthood, the same year in which he married Mary Godwin (not closely related) with whom he had a daughter.

George Godwin was born in Winchester to Edwin Godwin, a draper, who later became a farmer at Melksham, and his wife Mary (nee Tugwell).  By the age of 22 he had passed through the London College of Divinity at Highbury, being ordained deacon in 1869. The following year he entered the priesthood, the same year in which he married Mary Godwin (not closely related) with whom he had a daughter.

William Gilpin was a Church of England cleric, schoolmaster, artist and author. He is perhaps best known as a travel writer, and one who originated the idea of the ‘picturesque’.

William Gilpin was a Church of England cleric, schoolmaster, artist and author. He is perhaps best known as a travel writer, and one who originated the idea of the ‘picturesque’.

Born at Halstead in Essex, Gilbert moved to Southampton with his parents during the 1850s. He married Mary Emma Stanesby in 1867 and they continued to reside in the town for much of the remainder of the 19th century, although for a short period the couple lived in Wandsworth. While in Southampton Gilbert established a successful bookselling business, situated in Above Bar, and was active in local politics serving on the council for a number of years as a Liberal councillor and later alderman. In 1896 the family moved to Winchester where Gilbert lived until his death in early 1931….

Born at Halstead in Essex, Gilbert moved to Southampton with his parents during the 1850s. He married Mary Emma Stanesby in 1867 and they continued to reside in the town for much of the remainder of the 19th century, although for a short period the couple lived in Wandsworth. While in Southampton Gilbert established a successful bookselling business, situated in Above Bar, and was active in local politics serving on the council for a number of years as a Liberal councillor and later alderman. In 1896 the family moved to Winchester where Gilbert lived until his death in early 1931….

Harry Gidden was on the staff of King Edward VI School in Southampton for over 42 years from 1883. He had previously been a pupil at the School since 1879. Retiring in 1925, a year or so earlier he had been awarded a PhD by London University ‘for his noteworthy work on the charters of Southampton’ (Southern Daily Echo, 28.07.1948). This was ‘the first Doctorate for literary work ever bestowed on one who was born and … lived and worked all his life in Southampton’ (Hampshire Advertiser, 19.05.1923). While at the School, he was able to combine his teaching role…

Harry Gidden was on the staff of King Edward VI School in Southampton for over 42 years from 1883. He had previously been a pupil at the School since 1879. Retiring in 1925, a year or so earlier he had been awarded a PhD by London University ‘for his noteworthy work on the charters of Southampton’ (Southern Daily Echo, 28.07.1948). This was ‘the first Doctorate for literary work ever bestowed on one who was born and … lived and worked all his life in Southampton’ (Hampshire Advertiser, 19.05.1923). While at the School, he was able to combine his teaching role…

Edward Gibbon is best known for The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire published in six volumes by 1788, but he also served in the military and in Parliament, predominantly with Hampshire connections.  By the end of his life, he was considered ‘a giant of the Enlightenment’, his work praised for its accuracy, thoroughness, clarity, and comprehensive grasp of a vast subject.

Edward Gibbon is best known for The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire published in six volumes by 1788, but he also served in the military and in Parliament, predominantly with Hampshire connections.  By the end of his life, he was considered ‘a giant of the Enlightenment’, his work praised for its accuracy, thoroughness, clarity, and comprehensive grasp of a vast subject.

A prime example of the journalist historian, who clearly had a strong interest in the past, but was also a populariser who saw local history as a useful page filler. He started as a junior reporter with Portsmouth Evening News shortly after its foundation by James Graham Niven in 1877. In the foreword to his Illustrated History of Portsmouth published a year late in 1900 to mark the centenary of the Hampshire Telegraph, he wrote that he was encouraged to write about the past by the example of the J.C. Mottley, who in 1799 had founded the paper – albeit…

Sir Thomas Gatehouse was the son of the minor gentlemen, Thomas Gatehouse and inherited his Danebury estate, in particular lease of Nether Wallop rectory. In 1761 his wife accrued the Headley Park estate of her father, the minor literary figure. William Huggins The younger Gatehouse saw himself among the county elite as he was sheriff of Hampshire in 1762, and knighted. He sought ‘the Nobility and Gentry of the county’ as readers for his History of Hampshire/ Survey of the County of Southampton’.  He made the large claims for his research, which was patchy in coverage and of depth. It…

Sir Thomas Gatehouse was the son of the minor gentlemen, Thomas Gatehouse and inherited his Danebury estate, in particular lease of Nether Wallop rectory. In 1761 his wife accrued the Headley Park estate of her father, the minor literary figure. William Huggins The younger Gatehouse saw himself among the county elite as he was sheriff of Hampshire in 1762, and knighted. He sought ‘the Nobility and Gentry of the county’ as readers for his History of Hampshire/ Survey of the County of Southampton’.  He made the large claims for his research, which was patchy in coverage and of depth. It…

Peter Gallup was born in Hampshire and spent his early years at East Meon before moving to Devon.  He attended Lancing College before studying agriculture and forestry at Oxford.  Gallup became a partner in a fruit importing business which ceased trading with the onset of World War II and he signed up, joining the Royal Artillery.  The war took him to Burma, where he was involved in interpreting aerial photographs with the 14th Army.

He was a son of Richard Lee Furley, a shipowner of Hull and Gainsborough and was educated at Winchester College and Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated with a First in Mods and Greats. He used to say: ‘I owe everything to be elected a scholar of Winchester at the age of 12.’  In his Winchester in 1867 he described his time as a pupil as a period when the ‘privileged classes…in perilous ignorance and isolation’ were getting involved in the Portsmouth Mission and initiatives (Firth, p. 231).  After university, with the exception of a year at Tonbridge School, he…

He was a son of Richard Lee Furley, a shipowner of Hull and Gainsborough and was educated at Winchester College and Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated with a First in Mods and Greats. He used to say: ‘I owe everything to be elected a scholar of Winchester at the age of 12.’  In his Winchester in 1867 he described his time as a pupil as a period when the ‘privileged classes…in perilous ignorance and isolation’ were getting involved in the Portsmouth Mission and initiatives (Firth, p. 231).  After university, with the exception of a year at Tonbridge School, he…

Charles Fox came from a well-established Southampton family and his father, Frederick, inherited enough money to build a country house (The Lawn) at Bursledon.  Charles pursued a career in banking and eventually became manager of the Capital and Counties Bank in Winchester.

James Fowler KCMG, KCVO, FRCP, MA was born at Woburn, Bedfordshire, the fifth son of James Fowler and his wife Frances.  From 1870 onwards he attended King’s College, London.  He was initially intent on training for the Church but changed course in order to pursue a medical career. He qualified as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1874 and the Royal College of Physicians two years later.  He then worked at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, and this enabled him to graduate, in 1880, with Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Arts degrees (Caius College). 

Finch is an example of a clergyman writing local history at a time when there was much encouragement do so, especially by other churchmen. A review of his Story of the Parish Church at Clere published in the Hants & Berks Gazette on 31 March 1906 praised him for having a ‘capable and careful pen’ and performing ‘a literary labour which we know the Venerable Fearon D.D. earnestly desired to see general in the county’. Dr William Andrews Fearon was headmaster of Winchester College between 1884 and1901 and later Archdeacon of Winchester from 1903 until his death in 1920 (19…

Finch is an example of a clergyman writing local history at a time when there was much encouragement do so, especially by other churchmen. A review of his Story of the Parish Church at Clere published in the Hants & Berks Gazette on 31 March 1906 praised him for having a ‘capable and careful pen’ and performing ‘a literary labour which we know the Venerable Fearon D.D. earnestly desired to see general in the county’. Dr William Andrews Fearon was headmaster of Winchester College between 1884 and1901 and later Archdeacon of Winchester from 1903 until his death in 1920 (19…

The author of what has been described as the most important travel journal of the 17th century, Celia Fiennes, was born at Newton Toney in Wiltshire, to Nathaniel Fiennes, a Parliamentarian colonel in the English Civil War, and his second wife, Frances.