Few have written more beautifully about the British countryside than Francis Kilvert. A country clergyman born in 1840, Kilvert spent much of his time visiting parishioners, walking the lanes and fields of Herefordshire and writing in his diary. Full of passionate delight in the natural world and the glory of the changing seasons, his diaries are as generous, spontaneous and vivacious as Kilvert himself. He is an irresistible companion.

This new edition of William Plomer's original selection contains new archival material as well as a fascinating introduction illuminating Kilvert's world and the history of the diaries.

'One of the best books in English' Sunday Times

'Kilvert has touched and delighted (and mildly shocked) readers of his diaries ever since they were first published. New readers are in for a treat' Alan Bennett

Francis Kilvert (Author)
Robert Francis Kilvert was a Victorian country clergyman. He was born at Hardenhuish, or Harnish, near Chippenham in Wiltshire, on the 3rd December, 1840, the second child of the Rev. Robert Kilvert, and of Thermuthis. Francis Kilvert spent his early years at Hardenhuish, was educated privately, went in due course to Wadham College, Oxford, and entered the Church. He began writing a diary on 1 Jan 1870 and continued until his early death in 1879.

William Plomer (Edited by)
William Plomer CBE (1903-1973) was a South African and British novelist, poet and literary editor. An editor at F&F, he was also a reader at Cape where he worked on Kilvert's Diaries.