Richard Henry Major

He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and after working as a clerk joined the British Museum in 1844 under the patronage of Sir Henry Ellis.

[2] He was appointed keeper of the newly created department of maps and charts in the British Museum in 1867.

[2][3] Respiratory illness forced him to retire from the museum in 1880 and from active involvement in professional societies soon afterwards.

[4] He died on 25 June 1891 at his home, 51 Holland Road, Kensington, and was buried on the western side of Highgate Cemetery.

Major published a number of books related to maps or documents of historical significance.