St German's Priory. St. Germain's Priory, Cornwall. c1785

by Grose, Francis

St Germain's Priory at Port Elliot, West Cornwall. Francis Grose antique print.

Francis Grose (1731-1791) wrote and drew many of the engravings for “The Antiquities of England and Wales; Being a Collection of Views of the Most remarkable Ruins and antient(sic) Buildings, Accurately drawn on the spot. To each view is added An Historical Account of its Situation, when & by whom built, with every interesting Circumstance relating thereto. Collected from the best authorities.” Published between 1783 and 1787, each strongly engraved view wonderfully conveys the mood of the distinctive structures and landscapes, while the accompanying often amusing descriptions provide an unusual representation of each region.

Francis Grose was born in London. His father was a jeweller from Switzerland who, after moving to London, fashioned George II’s coronation crown. Francis joined the military and rose to the rank of Captain. He then became Paymaster and Adjutant of the Surrey Militia. Fortunately his inefficient financial management was able to be supported by an inheritance by his father. His life experiences, including six years as an innkeeper were invaluable in writing his most famous work "A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue".

Page size 12 x 9 inches or 30 x 23cm.