A short memoir of the late eminent Shropshire genealogist and antiquary William Hardwick 1879

This is the frontispiece of ‘A short memoir of the late eminent Shropshire genealogist and antiquary William Hardwicke’, printed in 1879. The title page is more than a simple announcement; it’s a window into the social and intellectual life of late 19th century Britain. Hardwicke was a genealogist and antiquary, professions closely tied to the era's fascination with history, lineage, and place. Note the author, Hubert Smith, lists his membership in the English Alpine Club, Shropshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, and the Royal Historical Society. These organizations were central to the Victorian pursuit of knowledge, connecting individuals through shared interests and solidifying social networks. The book itself, ‘Illustrated with a Portrait, engraved by Edward Wagaper, author of "Scrambles amongst the Alps," and with Photographs’ represents the intersection of art, science, and social standing. To fully appreciate this, we need to examine the publishing history and the biographies of the individuals involved. Art becomes meaningful when understood in its social and institutional context.