Gough , Richard , 1735-1809 , antiquary

Gough was born in London, 1735. He proved to be a scholastic child and, at the age of just 11, he wrote The History of the Bible, translated from the French, which was printed privately by his mother. In 1751 his father died, leaving him various properties and Gough went to study at Corpus Christi, Cambridge. While he was there some of his journals were included in the Gentlemen's Magazine, which he also contributed towards later in his life. Leaving Cambridge without a degree Gough travelled extensively throughout Britain compiling large amounts of notes and high quality sketches. In 1767 he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in London and thirty years later became the Director of that society. He was also a fellow, 1775-95, of the Royal Society. The death of Gough's mother in 1774 brought him more land and the finances to fully pursue his interest as an antiquary. During this period of his life he embarked upon his most ambitious project, Camden's Britannica, 1789, the compilation and printing of which took sixteen years as well as many other topographical and historical publications. He died in 1809.