John Wood’s Essay Towards a Description of the City of Bath

A misleading account of John Wood the Elder’s influential work, An Essay Towards a Description of the City of Bath, has been corrected. This 18th-century text, though antiquarian theories were often absurd, shaped the Georgian cityscape and contributed to Bath’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study clarifies the bibliographical history, addressing errors introduced by 19th-century scholars Upcott and Lowndes. By analyzing primary sources and historical records, the research restores accuracy to the scholarly record, ensuring proper recognition of Wood’s architectural legacy.

COPPINS, M. (2026). JOHN WOOD’S ESSAY TOWARDS A DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY OF BATH. The Library, 27(1), 94–96. https://doi.org/10.3828/library.2026.27.1.94