WAn antiquarian or antiquary is an aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient artifacts, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts. The essence of antiquarianism is a focus on the empirical evidence of the past, and is perhaps best encapsulated in the motto adopted by the 18th-century antiquary Sir Richard Colt Hoare, "We speak from facts, not theory."
WThe Antiquarian's Family, or The Mother-in-law and the Daughter is a comedy by Venetian author Carlo Goldoni, first published in 1749.
WJames Andrew Sandilands Grant (Bey) (1840–1896) was a Scottish physician and antiquarian. He was educated as a doctor of medicine at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and then spent several years working in Egypt combatting outbreaks of cholera and working as a general practitioner. While he was there, he became well informed about the antiquities and culture of ancient Egypt and he went on to develop expertise in that field. He bequeathed a collection of his antiquities to the museum of the University of Aberdeen.
WCatherine Downes was an English antiquarian and archaeologist, who excavated a Roman villa near Warminster, Wiltshire, in 1786. Downes is a significant figure in the early history of archaeology, since she was one of the first women antiquarians to excavate a Roman site; the other was Frances Stackhouse Acton. Downes is also one of the earliest recorded women who contributed to the work of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
WJohn Doubleday was a British craftsperson, restorer, and dealer in antiquities who was employed by the British Museum for the last 20 years of his life. He undertook several duties for the museum, not least as a witness in criminal trials, but was primarily their specialist restorer, perhaps the first person to hold the position. He is best known for his 1845 restoration of the severely-damaged Roman Portland Vase, an accomplishment that places him at the forefront of his profession at the time.
WLt-Col Henry Fishwick was a British soldier, politician and antiquary. After a military career, he became a Liberal Party Councillor (1871–1914) and twice Mayor of Rochdale (1903–05). He was also author and editor of several books on Lancashire and was a founding member of three of the county's historical societies.
WAugusto Marcelino Reyes Gonzalez III more popularly known as Toto Gonzalez is a Filipino social historian, antiquarian, and writer. He is best known for chronicling the social history of the Philippines through Remembrance of Things Awry, a personal blog that details the histories and gossips of notable Philippine clans dating as far as the early 19th century.
WMartin Jesus Imperial Tadeo Tinio, Jr. more popularly known as Sonny Tinio, was a Filipino antiquarian, art historian, interior designer, architect, author, and cultural worker. He was best known for chronicling the history of Philippine colonial architecture and Philippine antiquities in various publications in both the Philippines and overseas.
WGeorge Charles Williamson (1858–1942) was a British art historian, antiquarian, and author of numerous books on European art and artists. He sometimes wrote under the pen name Rowley Cleeve.