author
Sir Walter Gilbey
1831–1914
A self-made Victorian businessman, horse breeder, and writer, he became one of the best-known champions of Britain’s working horse breeds. His books draw on practical experience, blending rural history with a strong interest in agriculture, transport, and animal breeding.
5 Audiobooks
The Great Horse; or, The War Horse from the time of the Roman Invasion till its development into the Shire Horse.
by Sir Walter Gilbey
Early Carriages and Roads
by Sir Walter Gilbey
Small Horses in Warfare
by Sir Walter Gilbey
Horses Past and Present
by Sir Walter Gilbey
Ponies past and present
by Sir Walter Gilbey
About the author
Born in Bishop's Stortford in 1831, Sir Walter Gilbey built his reputation first in business. With his brother Alfred, he co-founded the wine and spirits firm W. & A. Gilbey, which grew into a major British company. He was later created a baronet and became known not only as a successful merchant, but also as a public-spirited local figure and philanthropist.
Gilbey is especially remembered for his work with horses. He was a strong supporter of heavy horse and carriage horse breeding, particularly Shires and Hackneys, and wrote widely on the history and improvement of British horse breeds. That practical knowledge gave his books a clear, grounded quality that still appeals to readers interested in rural life and animal history.
Alongside his writing on horses, he also published work on art and country subjects, reflecting broad interests beyond business. He died in 1914, leaving behind a body of writing closely tied to the working landscapes and traditions of late Victorian and Edwardian England.