Memoir of John Aubrey
Embracing his Auto-Biographical Sketches, a Brief Review of his Personal and Literary Merits, and an Account of his Works

The antiquarian and topographer John Britton published this biography of author and antiquarian John Aubrey (1626–97) in 1845.

John Britton (Author)

9781108073448, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 August 2014

150 pages, 3 b/w illus.
25.4 x 17.8 x 0.8 cm, 0.27 kg

The antiquarian and topographer John Britton (1771–1857) is best remembered for his multi-volume series of The Beauties of England and Wales. A self-taught author and scholar, he was attracted by the work of John Aubrey (1626–97), who was born in the same Wiltshire village as him, and had very similar interests as an antiquarian and biographer, famous for his Brief Lives and for his surveys of and writings on Avebury and Stonehenge. Britton's research on Aubrey's life induced him to write a fresh account, using surviving manuscripts as well as printed sources, which would clear up the contradictions and errors of earlier versions. This 1845 book is a fascinating portrait of a sickly child who ended up a pauper because of family debts and lawsuits, but was a diligent and intelligent scholar, scientist and occultist, and a close friend of Thomas Hobbes and Robert Hooke.

Preface
1. Auto-biography
2. Descent and pedigree of Aubrey
3. Aubrey's first meeting with Anthony à Wood
4. Aubrey's bequest of his Wiltshire paintings
5. Brief description and analysis of the manuscript and printed works of John Aubrey
Index.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]