author

William Augustus Steward

b. 1867

Known for writing about military honors and decorations, this early 20th-century author brought a collector’s eye to the history behind war medals. His best-known work gathers the stories, symbolism, and background of British and naval awards into an accessible reference for curious readers.

1 Audiobook

War Medals and Their History

War Medals and Their History

by William Augustus Steward

About the author

William Augustus Steward was born in 1867 and is known from library and book records as the author of War Medals and Their History, published in 1915. The book focuses on British and naval medals, badges, and decorations, and it shows a strong interest in how military awards connect to larger moments in history.

On the title page of that work, he is listed as "W. Augustus Steward" and as the author of From the Breasts of the Brave, suggesting that military honors and their traditions were a central part of his writing. While easily confirmed biographical details about his personal life are scarce in the sources available here, his published work makes clear that he wrote for readers who wanted both reference material and the stories behind the medals themselves.

Today, Steward is remembered mainly through surviving editions of his books in digital archives and library collections. His writing remains useful to readers interested in military history, collecting, and the ceremonial language of honor and service.