John Britton (1771-1857), Antiquary and Topographer

English antiquary,who was born on the 7th of July 1771 at Kington-St-Michael, near Chippenham. His parents were in humble circumstances, and he was left an orphan at an early age. At sixteen he went to London and was apprenticed to a wine merchant. Prevented by ill-health from serving his full term, he found himself adrift in the world, without money or friends. In his fight with poverty he was put to strange shifts, becoming cellarman at a tavern and clerk to a lawyer, reciting and singing at a small theatre, and compiling a collection of common songs.

After some slight successes as a writer, a Salisbury publisher commissioned him to compile an account of Wiltshire and, in conjunction with his friend Edward Wedlake Brayley, Britton produced The Beauties of Wiltshire (1801; 2 vols., a third added in 1825), the first of the series The Beauties of England and Wales, nine volumes of which Britton and his friend wrote . .The project was a topographical survey of the whole country, running 27 volumes and taking twenty years to complete. It was the first in a long line of topographical publications. After the seventh volume was produced, Britton seemed to lose interest in the 'beauties' series. However, he was succeeded by J. C. Smith (1778 - 1810), also a topographical draughtsman, and Britton continued to supply illustrations for the guides produced. Britton was the originator of a new class of literary works. " Before his time," says Digby Wyatt, popular topography was unknown." In 1805 Britton published the first part of his Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain (9 vols., 1805 to1814); and this was followed by Cathedral Antiquities of England (14 vols., 1814 . to 1835).

In 1845 a Britton Club was formed, and a sum of £1000 was subscribed and given to Britton, who was subsequently granted a civil list pension by Disraeli, then chancellor of the exchequer. Britton was an earnest advocate of the preservation of national monuments, proposing in 1837 the formation of a society such as the modern Society for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments. Britton himself supervised the preparation of Waltham Cross and Stratford-upon-Avon church.

Britton was a self-made editor with a great talent in the area. He called the artists that he gathered together 'scientific artists'. He later went on to produce an enormous biography which was completed and released 7 years before he died,in London on the 1st of January 1857 at the age of 86. Among other works with which Britton was associated either as author or editor are Historical Account of Redcliffe Church,Bristol (1813); Illustrations of Fonthill Abbey (1823); Architectural Antiquities of Normandy, with illustrations by Pugin (1825 to1827); Picturesque Antiquities of English Cities (1830); and History of the Palace and Houses of Parliament at Westminster (1834 to 1836), the joint work of Britton and Brayley. He contributed much to the Gentleman's Magazine and other periodicals. His Autobiography was published in 1850. A Descriptive Account of his Literary Works was published by his assistant T. E.Jones.

 

His works are- this is a list in progress as few now seem to realise the significance of his work. All images by him show normal daily life and the places are depicted 'warts and all' not the stylised view of J P Neale or the plain historical drawing of Grose he was quite the revolutionary when placed in his historical context.To check his style compare the Rutter Fonthill guidebook with Britton's

title	dates	author/s	illustrations
The Beauties of Wiltshire	(3 vol., 1801 to 25)	written with E. W. Brayley
The Pleasures of Human Life: Investigated...Cheerfully, Elucidated...Satirically, Promulgated...Explicitly; and Discussed...Philosophically by a Dozen Dissertations, on Male, Female and Neuter Pleasures	Longman, Hurst, Rees & Orme 1807	BENEVOLUS Hilaris and Co, pseud BRITTON John	hand-coloured illustrations by Rowlandson,
An Essay towards a History and Description of Ancient Stone Crosses." (London: Architectural Antiquities, 1807).	1807	John Britton,	18 plates.
Catalogue raisonné of the pictures belonging to the Most Honourable the Marquis of Stafford, in the gallery of Cleveland House (etc) ; An historical account of Corsham House, in Wiltshire ; the seat of Paul Cobb Methuen, Esq., with a catalogue of his celebrated collection of pictures (etc). . . . Britton's descriptive catalogues of two splendid but contrasting collections of Old Master pictures then available for viewing	London, for Longman (and others) and the author, 1808 ; London, "printed for the author, and Joseph Barrett, Bath" 1806., 1808.	John Britton,	engraved frontispiece, engraved ground plan
A TOPOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION OF WILTSHIRE.	1810	John Britton,	13 engraved plates
The Beauties of England and Wales or, Original Delineations, Topographical, Historical and Descriptive, of Each County.;	(18 volumes in 26 books) 1801 to 15	John Britton, ; Edward Wedlake Brayley; Thomas Rees; J. Norris Brewster & others.	688 plates and 25 title vignettes
The Fine Arts of the English School; Illustrated by a Series of Engravings, from Paintings, Sculpture and Architecture, of Eminent English Artists: with ample biographical, critical, and descriptive Essays, by various authors.	Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown., London., 1812.	John Britton,	4 engravings of St. Paul's Cathedral by Elmes.
An historical and architectural essay relating to Redcliffe Church, Bristol: illustrated with plans, views, and architectural details: including an account of the monuments, and anecdotes of the eminent persons interred within its walls: also, an essay on the life and character of Thomas Chatterton.	Longman, and others, 1813,	John Britton,	12 engraved plates
The History and Antiquities of the Cathedrals of England. . . . Salisbury, Winchester, Canterbury, Oxford & Lichfield, Gloucester, Exeter, Peterborough, Bristol, Hereford. All illustrated by a series of engravings of views, elevations, and plans of these edifices, with biographical anecdotes of eminent persons connected with the Establishment	pub. Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown and Green, London. Nine volumes,1814 . to1831	John Britton,	listed separately
The History and Antiquities of the Metropolitical Church of York. Illustrated by a Series of Engravings of Views, Elevations, Plans...	1814	John Britton,	thirty-six fine steel engraved plates
THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF SALISBURY; Illustrated with A Series of Engravings of Views, Elevations, Plans, and Details of that Edifice. Also Etchings of the Ancient Monuments and Sculpture: Including Biographical Anecdotes of the Bishops, and of other Eminent Persons connected with the Church.	(London, 1816)	John Britton,	30 fine steel engraved plates
THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE SEE AND CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF NORWICH; Illustrated by A Series of Engravings of Views, Elevations, Plans, and Details of that Edifice. With Biographical Anecdotes of the Bishops, and of other Eminent Persons connected with the Church.	(London, 1817)	John Britton,	25 fine steel engraved plates
The History and Antiquities of the See and Cathedral Church of Winchester	(London, 1817)	John Britton,	30 fine steel engraved plates,
A Topographical and Historical Description of the County of Hereford; Containing an Account of Its Towns, Cathedrals, Castles, Antiquities, Churches. Monuments, Public Edifices, Picturesque Scenery, The Residences of the Nobility, Gentry	(London, 1818)	John Britton, ; Edward Wedlake Brayley;
The History and Antiquities of the See and Cathedral Church of Lichfield; Illustrated by a Series of Engravings, of Views, Elevations, Plans, and Details of the Architecture of the Church: with Biographical Anecdotes of the Bishops of Lichfield and Coventry.	(London, 1820)	John Britton,
The History and Antiquities of the Metropolitical Church of Canterbury	(London, 1821)	John Britton,	26 fine steel engraved plates
THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF OXFORD; Illustrated by A Series of Engravings of Views, Elevations, Plans, and Details of that Edifice. With Biographical Anecdotes of the Bishops, and of other Eminent Persons connected with the Church	(London, 1821)	John Britton,	11 fine steel engraved plates
Graphical and Literary Illustrations of Fonthill	1823	John Britton,	illustrated
THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF WELLS; Illustrated by A Series of Engravings, of views, Elevations, Plans and Details, of the Architecture of that Edifice: Including Biographical Notices and Anecdotes of the Bishops of the See of Bath & Wells.	(London, 1824)	John Britton,	24 fine steel engraved plates
The history and antiquities of Bath abbey church.	(London, 1825)	John Britton,	10 fine steel engraved plates
Illustrations of the Public Buildings of London. With historical and descriptive accounts of each edifice,	published by J. Taylor: London, 1825	John Britton and Augustus Pugin1
A brief memoir of the life and writings of John Britton, F.S.A., F.R.S.L., &c.	London, "printed by J. Moyes, Bouverie Street" 1825, "[Not for sale]",	John Britton,	Britton's earliest autobiography, published as part of the preface to volume three of his Beauties of Wiltshire, also separately issued
The History and Antiquities of the Cathedral Church of Exeter; Illustrated by a Series of Engravings of Views, Elevations, Sections, and Plan, of that Edifice: Including Biographical Anecdotes of the Bishop of the See	1826	John Britton,	22 full-page engraved plts
Chronological History and Graphic Illustrations of Christian Architecture in England; Embracing a Critical Inquiry Into the Rise, Progress and Perfection of this Species of Architecture	Longman,Rees,Orme,Brown and Green, London, 1826	John Britton,	engraved title page and a further 86 full page plates of plans,sections,elevations and views.
The Union Of Architecture, Sculpture, And Painting... With Descriptive Accounts Of The House And Galleries Of John Soane..	London: Printed For The Author; Sold by Longman And Co., J.Taylor, And J. And A.Arch, 1827.	John Britton,	hand-coloured aquatint frontis. & 22 engraved plates. wood-engraved title vignette & headpieces. 5 text woodcuts.
THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE ABBEY, AND CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF PETERBOROUGH; illustrated by a series of engravings of views, elevations, plans and details of the architecture of the church; with biographical anecdotes of eminent persons connected with the establishment.	1828	John Britton,	16 fine steel engraved plates
The history and antiquities of the abbey and cathedral church of Gloucester: illustrated by a series of engravings of views, elevations, plans, and details of that edifice, .. .	1829	John Britton,	22 fine steel engraved plates
Modern Athens! Displayed in a Series of Views or Edinburgh in the Nineteenth Century exhibiting the whole of the new buildings, modern improvements, antiquities and picturesque scenery of the Scottish Metropolis and its environs	Jones & Co., London 1829	Britton, John ; Thomas H. Shepherd (illustrator)	50 engraved plates, composed of 2 or 3 images
Picturesque Antiquities of the English Cities, Illustrated By a Series of Engravings BRITTON John	John Longman Rees Orme Brown and Green, 1830.	John Britton,	60 full page plates, , 12 woodcuts in the text,
MEMOIRS Of The TOWER Of LONDON: Comprising Historical and Descriptive Accounts of that National Fortress and Palace: Anecdotes of State Prisoners: -- of the Armouries: -- Jewels: -- Regalia: -- Records: -- Menagerie, &c.	Hurst Chance & Co., 1830.	Britton, John & E. W. Brayley.	vignette & 18 intratextual engravings
The New Bath Guide or Memoirs of the B-N-R-D Family in a series of poetical epistles	Edinburgh & London Charles Skilton Ltd 1830.	Anstey, Christopher; Britton, John	Illustrated with 5 etchings by Cruikshanks / 2 illustrations
Cornwall Illustrated, From Original Drawings by Thomas Allom, W. H. Bartlett & Co. With Historical and Topographical Descriptions by J. Britton & E. W. Brayley.	Fisher, Son & Co, London, 1831.	Britton, John & E. W. Brayley.	22 engraved plates, each composed of 2 illustrations.(45 total)map
Devonshire Illustrated, From Original Drawings by Thomas Allom, W. H. Bartlett & Co. With Historical and Topographical Descriptions by J. Britton & E. W. Brayley. Normally found bound as one volume	Fisher, Son & Co, London, 1831.	Britton, John & E. W. Brayley.	47 engraved plates, each composed of 2 illustrations(95 total).map
THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE ABBEY, AND CATHEDRAL CHURCH, of Bristol: Illustrated by a Series of Engravings of Views, Elevations, Plans, and Details of that Edifice; with Biographical Anecdotes of Eminent Persons connected with the Establishment.	1830,	John Britton,	20 plates; 1st ed
THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF HEREFORD: Illustrated by a Series of Engravings of Views, Elevations, and Plans of That Edifice. With Biographical Anecdotes of Eminent Persons Connected with the Establishment.	1831	John Britton,	16 fine steel engraved plates
Descriptive Sketches of Tunbridge Wells and the Calverley Estate with Brief Notices of the Picturesque Scenery Seats and Antiquities in the Vicinity	1832	John Britton,	maps and illustrations listed [14]

title	dates	author/s	illustrations
Historical and Descriptive Essays accompanying a Series of Engraved Specimens of the Architectural Antiquities of Normandy.	BRITTON, J. (Ed.), PUGIN Augustus and LE KEUX, John and Henry.	London: M.A. Nattali, 1833.	80 architectural plates, a few with hand colouring.
A brief Memoir of Sir John Soane	London, 1834	John Britton,
The Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain	London M.A. Nattali 1835., Five volumes.	John Britton,	=line drawings and engravings showing "elevations, Plan, Sections and details
THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF WORCESTER. Illustrated by a Series of Engravings of Views, Elevations, Plans, and Details of that Edifice; with Biographical Anecdotes of Eminent Persons connected with the Establishment.	1835.,	John Britton,	16 fine steel engraved plates
History and Antiquities of the Metropolitical Church Of York ; Illustrated By a Series of Engravings of Views, Elevations, Plans and Details of the Architecture of That Edifice : With Biographical Anecdotes of the Archbishops	1836	John Britton,	34 fine steel engraved plates
The history of the ancient Palace and late Houses of Parliament at Westminster : embracing accounts and illustrations of St. Stephen's Chapel, and its cloisters, Westminster Hall, the Court of Requests, the Painted Chamber, &.&.	John Weale. 1836,	John Britton,	40 engraved plates, + text illustrations
THE CHURCHES OF LONDON. A History & Description of the Ecclesiastical Edifices of the |Metropolis.... Illustrated by numerous plates engraved by J. LeKeux from drawings by Robert Wm. Billings.	2 vols London, 1838-9	George Godwin and John Britton,	29 full-page plates and 20 text/27 full-page plates, 36 text illus
A Dictionary Of The Architecture and Archaeology Of The Middle Ages: Including Words Used By Ancient And Modern Authors In Treating Of Architectural and other Antiquities: With Etymology, Defination, Description, And Historical Elucidation: Also, Biographical Notices Of Ancient Architects.	Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, Longmans, and the Author, 1838.	John Britton,	42 plates by J. Le Keux.
Graphic Illustrations with Historical and Descriptive Accounts of Toddington, Gloucestershire the Seat of Lord Sudeley	1840.	John Britton,	engraved titlepage, 29 plates, 3 woodcuts
ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF WINDSOR CASTLE etc	London, 1842.	GANDY, MICHAEL & BAUD, BENJAMIN & BRITTON, JOHN	40 plates including 16 lithographic views
The History of the Parish of Grittleton, in the County of Wilts	Wiltshire Topographical Society, London, 1843.	BRITTON, John, (contrib.)	map, 3 litho plates, and woodcuts
.Memoir of John Aubrey, F.R.S.; embracing his autobiographical sketches, with a brief review of his personal and literary merits, and an account of his works; with extracts from his correspondence etc.	Printed by J.B.Nichols & son for the Wiltshire Topographical Society, 1845.	John Britton,	engraved portrait & title vignette,
MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE, WRITINGS, AND CHARACTER OF HENRY HATCHER.	1847	John Britton,	Frontispiece,
AUTHORSHIP OF THE LETTERS OF JUNIUS ELUCIDATED: Including a Biography and Memoir of Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Barre, M.P.	Printed for the author, and sold by J.R. Smith 1848,	Junius] Britton John	double-page engraved portrait / vignette title with lift up flap revealing a small portrait by Isaac Barre
A Topographical History of Surrey	Willis, London, 1850 5 volume set	BRAYLEY Edward Wedlake, Assisted By John Britton	129 steel engraved plates, and many text engravings,
The Auto-Biography of John Britton, F.S.A...in three parts...copiously illustrated.	London; printed for the author, as presents to subscribers to "The Britton Testimonial", 1850	John Britton,	7 plates, of which 2 are tinted lithos
APPENDIX TO BRITTON'S AUTO-BIOGRAPHY: CONTAINING BIOGRAPHICAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL, AND CRITICAL ESSAYS.	London: 1850	John Britton,
Reminiscences of Literary London from 1779 to 1853; with Interesting Anecdotes of Publishers, Authors, and Book Auctioneers of that Period.	London, 1853; New York, 1896.	Rees, Thomas and John Britton.
He died at 86 years old in 1857

John Britton. Graphical and Literary Illustrations of Fonthill Abbey, Wiltshire. 1823. All with a border and: 'London. Published/Printed by/for the Author April 1, 1823.' except pl. X, dated May 1, 1823 & title-page woodcut. Fonthill Abbey; Hall from the Octagon. Pl. VI. Drawn by Gastineau, from a Sketch by Cattermole; Engraved by R. Sands Architectural & Heraldical Title for Britton's Illustrations of Fonthill Abbey. Pl. XI. Engraved by J. Le Keux.&endash; Designed by J. Britton.&endash; Drawn by J. Rayner View from the end of the Western Avenue &endash; Engraved by J. Thompson, from a Sketch by T. Higham. Woodcut on title-page. Fonthill Abbey, Plan of the Principal Floor. Pl. I. Drawn and Measured by G Cattermole, Oct 1822, Engraved by J. Roffe Fonthill Abbey, N. W. View. Pl. II. Engraved by J. Lambert from a Drawing by G. Cattermole Fonthill Abbey, S. W. View. [Pl. III.] Engraved by H. Winkles, from a Drawing by G. Cattermole Fonthill Abbey. S E. View. Pl. IV. Engraved by W. Tombleson: Sketchd by T. Higham: Drawn by S. Rayner Fonthill Abbey, Distant View from S. W. Pl. V. Engraved by J. C. Varrall: Sketchd by T. Higham: Drawn by J. Martin Fonthill Abbey. Octagon, looking S. E. Pl. VII.8. Fonthill Abbey. King Edward's Gallery, looking N. Pl. VIII. Engraved by J. Le Keux from Sks by Cattermole, Shaw, Fonthill Abbey, S. End of St Michael's Gallery. Pl. IX. Engraved by M. Dubourg from A Drawing by G. Cattermole Fonthill Abbey, Window &c in St Michael's Gallery. Pl. X. Engraved by Havell & Son: Drawn & Etchd by H. Shaw, from Sketch by G. C. Coloured aquatint.