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Entry TypePerson
SurnameHowitt
ForenamesWilliam
PlaceHeanor
Epithethistorian and writer
Dates1792-1879
BiographyWilliam Howitt, fourth son of Thomas and Phebe, was born on 18 December 1792. In 1821 he married Mary Botham of Uttoxeter (Staffordshire) and set up as a chemist and druggist in Nottingham in 1824.

William had a poem published at the age of thirteen, and in 1831 he published his first book, The Book of the Seasons, or The Calendar of Nature'. This was followed in 1833 by 'A Popular History of Priestcraft', 'The Rural Life of England' (1838) and 'Colonization and Christianity' (1838). He and his wife Mary published both separately and collaboratively over 180 works. While living in Heidelberg (Germany) from 1840 to 1843 both William and Mary studied Swedish and Danish, later translating Scandinavian works including some by Hans Christian Andersen. After returning to London he was involved in publishing the People's Journal and Howitt's Journal. From 1851 to 1854 he was touring in Australia accompanied by his sons Alfred and Charlton. Alfred became a distinguished traveller and geologist in Australia, but Charlton died in New Zealand in 1863, two years after emigrating.

Although both William and Mary were born into Quaker families, during the 1850s they became interested in spiritualism. From 1870 they spent winter and spring in Rome (Italy) and the summer in the Tyrol (Austria). William died on 3 March 1879 (the same date as his brother Francis) and was buried in the Protestant Cemetery in Rome. Mary too was buried there when she died in 1888, despite her conversion to Roman Catholicism.
Authorised Form of NameHowitt; William (1792-1879); historian and writer

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