author
Henry Fishwick
1835–1914
Best known for bringing Lancashire’s past to life, this soldier-turned-antiquary wrote local history with real civic pride and a deep feel for place. His books remain a window into Rochdale and the wider county he spent years studying and serving.
1 Audiobook
A History of Lancashire
by Henry Fishwick
About the author
Born in Rochdale on March 9, 1835, Henry Fishwick was an English soldier, local politician, and antiquary whose writing focused strongly on Lancashire. After his military career, he became a long-serving Liberal councillor in Rochdale and later served twice as mayor, while also building a reputation as a careful historian of his home region.
Fishwick wrote and edited several works on Lancashire, including A History of Lancashire, The History of Rochdale, and The History of Kirkham. He was also a founding member of several historical societies connected with the county, reflecting how seriously he took the preservation of local records, traditions, and community history.
He died on September 23, 1914. For readers interested in place, memory, and the texture of regional history, his work still offers the perspective of someone who knew Lancashire not just as a subject, but as a lifelong commitment.