Hardy, SIR THOMAS DUFFUS, a distinguished palæographer, was born in 1804, in Jamaica, the son of a major of artillery. His earliest writings—illustrating the reign of King John—appeared in Archæologia and the Excerpta Historica. In 1861 he succeeded Sir Francis Palgrave as deputy-keeper of the Public Records, in which capacity his learning was equalled only by his courtesy. He was knighted in 1870, and died in London 15th June 1878. His most important works were two folio volumes of the early Close Rolls (1833-44), one of the Patent Rolls (1835), and others of the Norman Rolls (1835) and Charter Rolls (1837) for the Record Commission; Catalogue of Lord Chancellors,
Keepers of Great Seal, Masters of Rolls, &c. (1843); a Descriptive Catalogue of MSS. on British history (3 vols. 1862-71); and The Register of Richard de Kellawe, 1873-78.—His brother, SIR WILLIAM HARDY, was born 6th July 1807. On his brother's death in 1878 he succeeded as deputy-keeper, was knighted in 1883, and died 17th March 1887. He edited Waurin's Recueil des Chroniques (4 vols. 1864-84).