author
W. H. R. (William Henry Ricketts) Curtler
1862–1925
Known for writing clear, practical histories of English agriculture and land use, this early 20th-century author brought long rural traditions into sharp focus. His books trace how farming, enclosure, and country life shaped England over centuries.
1 Audiobook
A Short History of English Agriculture
by W. H. R. (William Henry Ricketts) Curtler
About the author
Writing as W. H. R. Curtler, William Henry Ricketts Curtler (1862–1925) is best remembered for books on English rural history, including A Short History of English Agriculture and The Enclosure and Redistribution of Our Land. His work centered on farming, land tenure, and the long development of the English countryside.
Records connected with Oxford show that he matriculated at Trinity College in 1881, which helps place him within the educated historical tradition from which his books emerged. His writing is straightforward and informative, aimed at readers who wanted a broad view of how agriculture changed over time rather than a narrowly academic study.
Curtler's books still attract readers interested in rural history because they combine big historical themes with a strong sense of everyday agricultural life. For audiobook listeners, he offers a window into the economic and social story behind the English landscape.