Ellis, SIR HENRY

Ellis, SIR HENRY, antiquary, born in London in 1777, was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, and at St John's College, Oxford, of which he became a Fellow. Having been for some time assistant-librarian to the Bodleian at Oxford, in 1800 he received an appointment at the British Museum, of which he became principal librarian in 1827. He received the honour of knighthood from William IV. in 1833. Ellis retired from the museum in 1856. He was for many years director, and one of the secretaries, of the Society of Antiquaries. His Introduction to Domesday Book was published in 1833; his Original Letters illustrative of English History, issued in three series, in the years 1824-46; and his invaluable edition of Brand's Antiquities, in 1813. He was likewise the author of a History of the Parish of St Leonard, Shoreditch, and of works on the Townley and Elgin Marbles, and was the chief editor and writer of the English portion of the edition of Dugdale's Monasticon (1817-30). His works exhibit much learning and research. He died in London, 15th January 1869.