Speed, JOHN,

Speed, JOHN, antiquary, was born at Farrington in Cheshire in 1542, worked most of his days at London as a tailor, and died July 28, 1629, being buried in St Giles's, Cripplegate. All his life long he had been acquiring historical learning, and his extraordinary attainments at length gained him the acquaintance of Sir Fulke Greville and others, and hence opened up a door for the publication of the great works through which his name survives. These are Maps (54) of England and Wales (1608-10; incorporated into The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain, 1611); The History of Great Britain under the Conquests of the Romans, Saxons, Danes, and Normans (1611). His theological writings are of no importance.