The Compleat Angler or The Contemplative Mans Recreation.
Being a discourse of fish and fishing, not unworthy the perusal of most Anglers.
First published on 9th May 1653, the Compleat Angler is arguably rated as the third most published book written in English (with Shakepsear's works and the Bible being the other two). Over 600 editions have been printed and to this day it holds a record for being in print for over 350 years.
Some famous quotes of Walton;
"Angling may be said to be so like the mathematics, that it can never be fully learnt"
"Rivers and the inhabitants of the watery elements are made for wise men to contemplate"
"When you fish with a flie, if it be possible, let no part of your line touch the water, but your flie only"
"O, sir, doubt not that Angling is an art; is it not an art to deceive a trout with an artificial fly?"
Walton's famous book The Compleat Angler was first published in 1653 it was however anything but complete. Over a period of 25 years Walton continued to amend and add to the initial thirteen chapters extending it to twenty one chapters (Fifth edition, 1676 volume).The publication dates are; 1st - 1653, dedicated to his close friend John Offley, 2nd edition - 1655, third edition - 1661, fourth edition 1668 and the last in 1676.
Isaac Walton in his day was well known amongst the clergy and literary society, as well as The Compleat Angler he wrote several biographies that include;
The life of Dr John Donne, Poet and dean of St Pauls Church, London. Published 1640.
The life of Sir Henry Wotton, Knight and Provost of Eton College. Published 1651.
The life of Richard Hooker, Author of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity. Published 1665.
The life of George Herbert, Published 1670
The life of Robert Sanderson, Lord Bishop of Lincoln. Published 1678
Documents discovered in 2004 reveal that Izaak Walton was a tax collector in his spare time.
The discovery was made by a researcher while sifting through a box of unsorted documents from the King's Remembrancer records relating to lay and clerical taxation.
Jonathan Mackman, the researcher at The National Archives who uncovered the information, said "Walton was charged with collecting the taxes of many of his friends and neighbours in his home parish of St Dunstan in the West, around Fleet Street in London. However, the document shows some of the problems of the job of that time, as many of the taxpayers had either run away or were unable to pay, and Walton had to account for his failure to the government".
While he is well known to have been an ironmonger and a keen angler, it was not known that he also served as a tax collector. This is a good example of how the tax records at The National Archives can add a little more colour to our knowledge of famous figures from the past.
