Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Allen, Thomas (1803-1833)

by no contributor recorded

ALLEN, THOMAS (1803–1833), topographer, son of a map engraver, was born in 1803, and died of cholera on 7 July 1833. In 1827 he published a quarto volume, ‘The History and Antiquities of the Parish of Lambeth and the Archiepiscopal Palace,’ with illustrations, chiefly drawn and etched by himself. He afterwards published, in parts, the ‘History and Antiquities of London, Westminster, and Southwark’ (1827 and 1828), illustrated by engravings on copper by himself and woodcuts; ‘A New and Complete History of the County of York’ (1828 to 1831), with engravings after Whittock; ‘A History of the Counties of Surrey and Sussex’ (1829 to 1830), with engravings after Whittock; and he began in 1830 a ‘History of the County of Lincoln,’ with engravings after his own drawings, which was completed after his death and published in 1834. He also published guide-books to London and the Zoological Gardens, contributed some plates and articles to the ‘Gentleman's Magazine,’ and projected ‘A Historical and Topographical Atlas of England and Wales,’ which he did not live to attempt.

[Gent. Mag. xcix. pt. ii. p. 356, ciii. pt.ii. p. 86.]