'The earliest historians of this county after Leland, the father of English antiquaries, was William Camden; who, in his Britannia, has written an account of Staffordshire; the English translation of which by Bishop Gibson is on the hands of every reader. Sampson Camden, his father, was a native of Lichfield, and settled as a painter in London, residing in the Old Bailey, here his son William, afterwards by the way of eminence surnamed the learned, was born May 21, 1551. He was educated at Christ's Hospital and at St Paul's School, and became a servitor at Magdalen College, Oxford; from which he removed to Broadgate-hall, and afterwards to Christ Church. From Oxford he was elected second Master of Westminster School, and, in 1592, Head Master. He was Clarenceux king at arms, and founder of the professorship of modern history at Oxford. His works are numerous, learned, and valuable. He died at Chislehurst in Kent, Nov. 19, 1623, aged 73. Arms: Or, a fesse between six crosslets Sable.'