JOHN STOW

John Stow was born in London in 1525, and is one of the best known Elizabethan antiquaries. He was a prosperous tailor until about 1566, after which he devoted his time to collecting rare books and manuscripts - a hobby that consumed all his money. He was a self-educated, passionate scholar, and was employed by Matthew Parker, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to edit medieval chronicles. His Survey, which took the form of a perambulation around London, contains most interesting details of the transition of London life from a Medieval to a modern city, and some very beautiful engravings showing famous London Squares.
Nicholas Sutton, the draughtsman and engraver, executed many topographical engravings in the first half of the 18th century, among them some views for Stow's survey which was re-published at that time.