William Page (MP)

William Page (1861 – 1934) was a British historian, editor, and public servant who served as a Member of Parliament. He is best known for his contributions to the Victoria County History (VCH), a comprehensive and authoritative series of county histories of England.

Page was appointed General Editor of the VCH in 1902, a role he held until his death. Under his leadership, the VCH became a major scholarly undertaking, involving numerous contributors and covering a vast range of topics relating to local history, including topography, natural history, archaeology, genealogy, and economic and social history. He established high standards of scholarship and ensured the consistency and quality of the series.

In addition to his editorial work, Page was also a prolific author, contributing numerous articles and chapters to the VCH volumes. He had a particular interest in London history and archaeology.

Page served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bethnal Green North East from 1904 to 1906, representing the Liberal Party. His political career was relatively brief, but he remained active in public life, serving on various committees and organizations related to historical research and preservation.

His contributions to the Victoria County History have had a lasting impact on the study of English local history. His meticulous scholarship and editorial leadership helped establish the VCH as a valuable resource for historians and researchers for generations to come.