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Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837. Originally published by University of London, London, 2006.
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Historiographer c.1662–1782, c.1807–1837
The earliest holder of this office is said to have been James Howell. In 1662 he was granted an annuity of £200 by letters patent under the great seal which make no mention of the office. (fn. 1) However, in the letters patent granting the combined offices of historiographer and poet laureate successively to John Dryden (1670) and Thomas Shadwell (1689) Howell is mentioned as one of their predecessors. Dryden's salary was £200 while Shadwell's was £300. (fn. 2) Thereafter the two offices were held separately and the historiographer's salary was fixed at £200. Thomas Rymer was the last holder of the office to be appointed by letters patent in 1692; subsequent appointments were made by lord chamberlain's warrant. The office was abolished in 1782. (fn. 3) It had, however, been revived by 1807. (fn. 4)