Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hardwick, Charles (1817-1889)
HARDWICK, CHARLES (1817–1889), antiquary, son of an innkeeper at Preston, Lancashire, was born there on 10 Sept. 1817. He was apprenticed to a printer, but on the expiration of his servitude he devoted himself to art, and practised as a portrait-painter in his native town. Having joined the Odd Fellows he took an important share in the reform of the Manchester Unity, and was elected grand-master of the order. He was a vice-president of the Manchester Literary Club, of which he was a founder. He died at Manchester on 8 July 1889.
His principal works are: 1. 'History of the borough of Preston and its Environs in the county of Lancaster,' Preston, 1857, 8vo. 2. 'The History, present position, and social importance of Friendly Societies,' London, 1859 and 1869, 8vo. 3. 'Traditions, Superstitions, and Folk-Lore (chiefly Lancashire and the North of England:) their affinity to others . . . their eastern origin and mythical significance,' Manchester, 1872, 8vo. 4. 'On some antient Battlefields in Lancashire and their historical, legendary, and aesthetic associations,' Manchester, 1882, 4to. He also was editor of 'Country Words: a North of England Magazine of Literature, Science, and Art,' 17 numbers, Manchester, 1866–7, 8vo.
[Sutton's Lancashire Authors, p. 48; Academy, 20 July 1889, p. 39.]