Celebrating Hampshire Historians

Gilbert, Henry March

1846 - 25.01.1931

Born at Halstead in Essex, Gilbert moved to Southampton with his parents during the 1850s. He married Mary Emma Stanesby in 1867 and they continued to reside in the town for much of the remainder of the 19th century, although for a short period the couple lived in Wandsworth. While in Southampton Gilbert established a successful bookselling business, situated in Above Bar, and was active in local politics serving on the council for a number of years as a Liberal councillor and later alderman. In 1896 the family moved to Winchester where Gilbert lived until his death in early 1931. Again he was active in local politics. His other great interest was Nonconformity, in general, and Congregationalism, in particular.

Sources

R. Ottewill, ‘Henry March Gilbert 1846-1931: ‘Staunch Liberal and Nonconformist’’, The Journal of the Southampton Local History Forum, No. 22, Spring 2014, pp.11-18.

Portrait

A.G.K Leonard, Images of England. Southampton: the second selection (Stroud: Tempus, 2002), p.36.

Contribution to county’s history

Gilbert only made one contribution to the history of Hampshire but it was regarded at the time as ‘a valuable means of reference to students and all interested in the general matters pertaining to the county.’ Together with the Rev G.N.Godwin, the vicar of East Boldre, they had compiled a ‘comprehensive list of books relating to Hampshire … supplemented by a list of books and periodicals containing references to the county’ (Hampshire Independent, 12 September 1891, p.2). One particularly useful feature is a listing of Hampshire’s 19th century newspapers, credited to F.E. Edwards. This includes details of years of publication, price, party political   

Relevant published works

• Bibliotheca Hantoniensis 1891

Critical Comments

It is a great pity that Gilbert and his collaborator did not update Bibliotheca Hantoniensis at, say, ten yearly intervals. This would have greatly enhanced its value to later historians of Hampshire. Indeed in their Preface they make the following observation and appeal: ‘This work, from its nature, must necessarily be incomplete, but no pains have been spared to make it as accurate as possible. If anyone interested in the subject meets with Books, &c., relating to Hampshire not entered in this list, the Compilers will be glad to receive information of the same, that they may be included in a future edition.’ Since a later edition did not appear, there is no way of knowing what response, if any, this request received.

Other Comments

Today, Bibliotheca Hantoniensis, can be regarded as a historical artefact in its own right. Perhaps it might inspire a team of present day local historians to update it with an on-line version.

Contributor

Roger Ottewill 10/07/2023

Key Words

Nonconformity, Congregationalism, Bibliotheca Hantoniensis

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