William Camden (
1551-
1623) was an English
historian, whose memory is preserved in the name of the
Camden Society[?] (founded
1838). Born in
London and educated at
Oxford University (
Pembroke College), Camden became headmaster of
Westminster School in
1593. His best-known work is
Britannia (
1586), a survey of Britain based on his own extensive travels and investigations, written in
Latin. In
1597 he became Clarenceux king-at-arms (a heraldic appointment), and in
1615 produced his
Annals of the Reign of Elizabeth to 1588. He is buried in
Westminster Abbey.