Alfred Rimmer

Born in Liverpool on August 9, 1829, he was educated at Liverpool College and first trained for architecture. After working with a Liverpool architect, he later spent time in Canada, where he was active in business and public life before returning to Britain.

He became best known as an artist and author whose books explored historic buildings, churches, schools, and old English towns. Works such as Ancient Streets and Homesteads of England, Our Old Country Towns, and Rambles Round Eton and Harrow show how strongly he cared about the character of older places and the stories held in their walls.

He died in Chester on October 27, 1893. For listeners drawn to travel writing, architectural history, and lovingly observed corners of Britain, his books still offer a vivid sense of place.