John Doe? John Maule!

It doesn't make it easy for us, the British 18th/19th-century convention of naming children after their parents and grandparents... It took quite some digging to discover that the Rev John Maule behind our new collection of 18th century topographical sketches was in fact Rev John Maule of Dover (1771–1866), not Rev John Maule of Horseheath (1748–1825), as previously attributed. John Maule of Horseheath was also Chaplain at Greenwich Hospital; John Maule of Dover's father (Stephen John) and grandfather (John) were Clerk of the Cheque at Greenwich Hospital.

But therein lies the satisfaction! Suddenly the collection makes sense—these pictures are too good to have no trace of a record elsewhere, and it turns out there are pictures by John Maule of Dover in the collections of Dover Museum @dovermuseum and University of Leicester. Really interesting early views of Kent landscapes and landmarks that are now much changed. Does it really matter I hear you say! We think it does, because accuracy and integrity in the small things means accuracy and integrity in the big things.

VIEW THE FULL COLLECTION.