Sir J. W. Fortescue

Sir John William Fortescue (1859–1933) was a British military historian. A younger son of the Earl Fortescue, he served as private secretary to colonial governors before turning to history, and from 1905 to 1926 he was librarian at Windsor Castle. His History of the British Army, published in thirteen volumes between 1899 and 1930, is a monumental account of the army from its origins to 1870, combining research in official records with vivid narrative and strong opinions. He also wrote on the county militias and on Wellington, and was knighted for his work.