Quick Facts
- Born:
- Nov. 7, 1687, Holbeach, Lincolnshire, Eng.
- Died:
- March 3, 1765, London (aged 77)
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Stukeley, William
William Stukeley.
William Stukeley
English physician and antiquarian
William Stukeley (born Nov. 7, 1687, Holbeach, Lincolnshire, Eng.âdied March 3, 1765, London) was an English antiquary and physician whose studies of the monumental Neolithic PeriodâBronze Age stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury, Wiltshire, led him to elaborate extravagant theories relating them to the Druids (ancient Celtic priest-magicians). These views were widely and enthusiastically accepted in the late 18th century. Despite his romantic theorizing, he was an excellent field archaeologist, and his surveys of the monuments in the 1720s remain of interest. His extensive antiquarian travels are recorded in Itinerarium Curiosum (1724; âObservant Itineraryâ).
This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking âSign Upâ, you consent to the Britannica
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Use.