Wikipedia talk:Featured article candidates/A History of British Fishes/archive1

Blurb
A History of British Fishes is a natural history book by William Yarrell, serialised in 19 parts from 1835, and then published bound in two volumes in 1836. It is a handbook describing every type of fish known to occur in the British Isles. Yarrell was a London bookseller and newsagent with the time and income to indulge his interest in natural history. He was a prominent member of several natural history societies, had an extensive library and collection of specimens, and a wide network of naturalist friends who helped him garner material for his writings, notably his book on fishes and the A History of British Birds. He followed the example of Thomas Bewick with up-to-date data, accurate illustrations and detailed descriptions. The woodcut illustrations were drawn by Alexander Fussell, engraved by John Thompson, and published by John Van Voorst. Yarrell died in 1856, and the third edition was produced posthumously. The book was a commercial success and became a standard reference work.