(William), the great antiquarian, was born Camden was born in London in the year 1551. His father was a native of Litchfield in Staffordshire, who settling in London, became a member of the company of painter-tanners, and lived in the Old Bailey. His mother was of the ancient family of Curwen, of Wirkington in Cumberland. He was educated first at Christ's hospital, and afterwards at St Paul's school; from thence he was sent, in 1566, to Oxford, and entered servitor of Magdalen college; but being disappointed of a deanship's place, he removed to Broad-gate hall, and somewhat more than two years after, to Christ-church, where he was supported by his kind friend and patron Dr Thornton. About this time he was a candidate for a fellowship of All-Souls college, but lost it by the intrigues of the Popish party. In 1570, he supplicated the regents of the university to be admitted bachelor of arts; but in this also he miscarried. The following year Mr Camden came to London, where he prosecuted his favourite study of antiquity, under the patronage of Dr Goodman, dean of Westminster, by whose interest he was made second master of Westminster school in 1575. From the time of his leaving the university to this period, he took several journeys to different parts of England, with a view to make observations and collect materials for his Britannia, in which he was now deeply engaged. In 1581 he became intimately acquainted with the learned president Briffon, who was then in England; and, in 1586, he published the first edition of his Britannia. In 1593, he succeeded to the head mastership of Westminster school on the resignation of Dr Grant. In 1597 he published his Greek grammar, and the same year was made Clarenceux king at arms. In the year 1600 Mr Camden made a tour to the north, as far as Carlisle, accompanied by his friend Mr (afterwards Sir Robert) Cotton. In 1606 began his correspondence with the celebrated president de Thou, which continued to the death of that faithful historian. In the following year he published his last edition of the Britannia, which is that from which the several English translations have been made; and in 1608, he began to digest his materials for a history of the reign of queen Elizabeth. In 1609, after recovering from a dangerous illness, he retired to Chislehurst in Kent, where he continued to spend the summer-months during the remainder of his life. The first part of his annals of the queen did not appear till the year 1615, and he determined that the second volume should not appear till after his death (a). The work was entirely finished in 1617; and from that time he was principally employed in collecting more materials for the further improvement of his Britannia. In 1622, being now upwards of 70, and finding his health decline apace, he determined to lose no time in executing his design of founding an history-lecture in the university of Oxford. His deed of gift was accordingly transmitted by his friend Mr Heather, to Mr Gregory Wheare, who was, by himself, appointed his first professor. He died at Chislehurst, in 1623, in the 73rd year of his age; and was buried with great solemnity in Westminster-abbey in the south aisle, where a monument of white marble was erected to his memory. Camden was a man of singular modesty and integrity; profoundly learned in the history and antiquities of this kingdom, and a judicious and conscientious historian. He was reverenced and esteemed by the literati of all nations, and will be ever remembered as an honour to the age and country wherein he lived. Besides the works already mentioned, he was author of an excellent Greek grammar, and of several tracts in Hearne's collection.