GELL (Sir William).
The Itinerary of Greece; Containing One Hundred Routes in Attica, Boetia, Phocis, Locris, and Thessaly.
Sir William Gell’s (1777-1836) record of his journey proceeds in minute detail and is rich with architectural and archaeological observances. Intended as a pocket guidebook the concise entries provide informative description of the routes.
Gell ultimately settled in Naples where he became well known for his hospitality. His house was frequented by many notable literary visitors, including Sir Walter Scott, Bulwer Lytton, and the poet Walter Savage Landor. He retained a keen interest in archaeological developments, especially those in the nascent field of Egyptology, until his death in 1836.
With a ms letter from Henry Middleton giving the book to a Mr Bermudez, discussing a proposed trip to Greece. The first edition was published in 1810, Gell notes in his introduction that the map was the most accurate available at the time.
