Brief Lives, Vol. 1

"Brief Lives, Vol. 1" by John Aubrey is a historical account written in the late 17th century. This volume provides biographical sketches of notable figures, predominantly from the 16th and early 17th centuries, including authors, mathematicians, and statesmen. It captures not only the lives and contributions of these individuals but also the social context and personal anecdotes surrounding them, reflecting Aubrey's profound interest in antiquarian studies and his role in preserving the memory of contemporary and historical figures. The opening of the work sets a foundation for understanding Aubrey's motivations and methods for documenting these lives. It describes how Aubrey sought to compile and share his extensive knowledge about the prominent people of his time, often derived from personal relationships and community gossip. Through engaging anecdotes and interesting observations, he presents a unique view into the lives of individuals such as George Abbot, Sir Robert Aiton, and Thomas Allen. Aubrey's distinctive style reveals his mixed methodologies, where personal recollections and historical data intersect, offering readers an intimate glimpse into the lives of those who shaped society in the Restoration era. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Aubrey was an English antiquary, natural philosopher and writer. He was a pioneer archaeologist, who recorded numerous megalithic and other field monuments in southern England, and who is particularly noted for his systematic examination of the Avebury henge monument. The Aubrey holes at Stonehenge are named after him, although there is considerable doubt as to whether the holes that he observed are those that currently bear the name. He was also a pioneer folklorist, collecting together a miscellany of material on customs, traditions and beliefs under the title "Remaines of Gentilisme and Judaisme". He set out to compile county histories of both Wiltshire and Surrey, although both projects remained unfinished. His "Interpretation of Villare Anglicanum" was the first attempt to compile a full-length study of English place-names. He had wider interests in applied mathematics and astronomy, and was friendly with many of the greatest scientists of the day.