Robert Pocock-The Gravesend Historian, Natualist, Antiquarian, Botanist and Printer by George M Arnold.
 
In this captivating biography penned by George M. Arnold in 1883, the remarkable life of Robert Pocock (1760–1830) is brought to light. Pocock, a man of many talents including naturalist, printer, and antiquarian, might have faded into obscurity if not for Arnold's meticulous retelling.
 
Born in Gravesend, Kent, Pocock inherited his parents' shop at a young age of sixteen. This shop soon became a hub for discussions and displays of exotic fish, plants, and antiquities. In 1786, Pocock ventured into publishing, setting up his own printing press to produce reading books for children, envisioning a shift from traditional hornbooks to more substantial literature. Alongside his printing endeavors, he established a circulating library and engaged in trading 'natural and other curiosities' from various corners of the globe.
 
Pocock's interests extended beyond commerce; he delved into the history and chronology of Gravesend, diligently studied the local environment, with a particular passion for botany. Through Arnold's narrative, Pocock emerges as a symbol of the countless self-taught naturalists and antiquarians scattered across Britain during his time.