William Matthews’ British Diaries 1442–1942: An Annotated Bibliography offers an unparalleled exploration of British diary literature spanning five centuries. This meticulously compiled resource catalogs diaries from diverse perspectives—ranging from monarchs to farmers, scholars to soldiers, and clergy to craftsmen—providing a comprehensive cross-section of British society across eras. With annotations that highlight the unique content and context of each diary, the bibliography serves as an invaluable guide for scholars of history, linguistics, sociology, and cultural studies.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1950.