This thorough review of the life and works of Richard Gough (1735–1809), the ‘foremost antiquary of his day’, covers a remarkable range of topics, from Gough's genealogy and education, source of wealth and estate to his main public roles and publications and his relationships with key contemporaries. Whilst the majority of the book is written in a factual style, the authors use Gough's own mural monument and comments in Literary Anecdotes to flesh out the character of this man who became a leading light in the Society of Antiquaries, serving as its Director for twenty-six years. In this role he forged ahead with the publication of antiquarian papers and proceedings, stimulating something of a revival in the Society's history.

However, he could clearly be a rather difficult and pedantic writer, who drew heavily on the expertise of fellow antiquaries, as well as the skills of a series of illustrators, to complete his ambitious projects. Whittemore and Byrom note that he sometimes failed to credit these contributions appropriately and often frustrated his editors with copious pages of corrections! Further light is shed on his character through references from such close friends as John Nichols, as well as critical reviews and incidents reported in private letters and published ‘gossip’. The authors not only publish his will in detail (evidencing his charitable nature) but also a remarkable personal letter concerning views on marriage which is both moving and inspiring. This range of sources reveals the temperament and motivations, as well as substantial fieldwork, which lay behind such works as British Topography, his translation of Camden's Britannia and Sepulchral Monuments.

Gough appears as a rather modest but patriotic man, who sometimes concealed his authorship in print. He did not have a wide circle of friends and, at times, his lack of a more prestigious aristocratic pedigree counted against him. However, he was considered a good friend and generous host and, for a man reluctant to engage in either politics or religious discourse (he was brought up as a Dissenter but later became a regular member of the Church of England), he was not hesitant to foster intellectual argument and debate. This led to a number of public disagreements, particularly over the issue of James Wyatt's supposed ‘restoration’ of cathedrals, such as Durham and Salisbury, culminating in Gough's resignation from the Society of Antiquaries in 1797. The authors also detail the debate over the eventual repository of Gough's archives, between the British Museum and Bodleian Library.

If there is a weakness in this text, it lies primarily in the scant treatment of the content of his major works, though the context in which they were written and published is thoughtfully discussed. There are some interesting illustrations (black-and-white line drawings), some of which are rather small, and the mode of publication is rather basic. However, for its price, it represents an impressive volume of scholarship on an individual whose contribution to antiquarian studies deserves to be more fully appreciated.