author
W. (William) Butt
1826–1911
Best known for revising and expanding a classic Victorian guide to archery, this 19th-century writer helped preserve practical knowledge of the sport for later generations. His work is closely tied to one of the era’s most respected books on shooting with the longbow.
1 Audiobook
The theory and practice of archery
by Horace A. (Horace Alfred) Ford, W. (William) Butt
About the author
Little biographical information was easy to confirm, but public-domain catalog records identify W. (William) Butt (1826–1911) as the writer associated with later editions of The Theory and Practice of Archery.
That book began with Horace A. Ford, one of the best-known archery authorities of the 19th century. In the 1887 edition, Butt is credited alongside Ford, and archival descriptions note that he rewrote and updated the work rather than simply reprinting it. That makes him an important figure in carrying a standard archery manual forward for a new generation of readers.
For modern listeners, Butt’s appeal lies in that role as a careful reviser and practical explainer. Even where the details of his life remain elusive, his contribution survives in a book that blends sporting instruction, technical know-how, and a vivid glimpse of Victorian archery culture.