Antiquary. He was born into a Quaker family in Oxfordshire, though he later left the Society of Friends. He did not complete his apprenticeship to a watchmaker, instead devoting himself to literary and scientific pursuits. His Japheth: Contemplation and Other Pieces was published by Longman in 1834 and his History of Banbury appeared in 1841. In 1824 he wrote to Southey requesting information on the latter’s proposed life of George Fox (1624–1691; DNB), founder of the Religious Society of Friends. Southey’s reply explained why he had suspended the project.