Sir Frederic Madden (1801-1873), antiquary and palaeographer, was born in Portsmouth on 16 February 1801. He collated the manuscripts of Caedmon for Oxford University in 1825, and worked on the preparation of the British Museum's catalogue of printed books, 1826-1828. He became assistant-keeper of manuscripts at the museum in 1828, and was the head of department, 1837-1866. He died in London on 8 March 1873.
John Lydgate (1370?-1451?), poet, was born in Lydgate, near Newmarket, and was ordained priest in 1397. He was engaged as a court poet, and enjoyed the patronage of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, from 1422. In his later years he lived at Bury monastery. Lydgate wrote poems, allegories, fables and moral romances.
From the guide to the Sir Frederic Madden: Index to John Lydgate's Poetical Works, c. 1840, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)
