Grose, Francis

Francis Grose (1731–1791) was an English antiquary, draughtsman, and lexicographer, celebrated for his accessible and richly illustrated works documenting Britain’s architectural and cultural heritage. His most famous publication, The Antiquities of England and Wales, was issued between 1772 and 1787, with a total of over 480 engravings across multiple volumes. Published by S. Hooper and later others including Verner & Hood, it combines visual records of castles, churches, and historic ruins with entertaining, anecdotal commentary. Grose’s engaging style and prolific output helped popularise antiquarianism in the late 18th century. He also contributed illustrations to The Sporting Magazine and produced dictionaries of slang and vulgar tongue. His work remains valuable for its depiction of many sites before later restoration or loss.

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