author
John Noake
1816–1894
Best known for bringing Worcestershire’s past to life, this 19th-century journalist and antiquary turned local history into something vivid and readable. His books remain closely tied to the people, places, and traditions of the county he wrote about so lovingly.
1 Audiobook
Notes and Queries for Worcestershire
by John Noake
About the author
Born in Sherborne, Dorset, in 1816, John Noake built his career in Worcester, where he worked as a journalist for local newspapers including Berrow's Worcester Journal, the Worcestershire Chronicle, and later the Worcester Herald. He became known not just as a reporter but as a careful collector of local history.
Noake is chiefly remembered for his writing on Worcestershire. Works such as Notes and Queries for Worcestershire, Worcestershire Relics, and Noake's Guide to Worcestershire show his long-standing interest in the county’s antiquities, customs, and everyday historical detail. His writing helped preserve material that might otherwise have been lost.
He died in 1894. Though not a household name today, he has lasting value for readers interested in English local history, especially the rich and often overlooked story of Worcestershire.