Walter de Gray Birch
Walter de Gray Birch was an English historian, editor and author. He is best known for his Cartularium Saxonicum — A Collection of Charters Relating to Anglo-Saxon History, which supersedes John Mitchell Kemble's Codex Diplomaticus Aevi Saxonici.
Early life and education
Walter was born on New Year's Day 1842, the son of Dr Samuel Birch, Keeper of the Department of Oriental Antiquities at the British Museum, and Charlotte F. Gray, sister of John Edward Gray. He was educated in Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Cambridge, and started work as curator of western manuscripts in the British Museum in 1864, age 22, transcribing and cataloguing Anglo-Saxon charters.Career
Birch was a prolific author whilst in his position as curator of western manuscripts at the British Museum. He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, Member of the Royal Academies of Seville and Turin and honourable member of the Hispanic Society of America. He held the positions of Honourable Secretary, Editor, Vice-President, and Treasurer for many years of the British Archaeological Association.During his tenure at the British Museum he transcribed and published most of the surviving Anglo Saxon Charters as the Cartularium Saxonicum in three volumes between 1885-1893, plus an index to named persons in 1899.
In 1902 he left the British Museum to become personal librarian and curator to the 4th Marquess of Bute.
Death
Birch died in Monte Carlo on 8 March 1924.Notable Works
His large output includes:*