Frederick William Hackwood

Frederick William Hackwood FRHS (18 April 1851 – 4 December 1926) was an English teacher, antiquarian, journalist, and prolific non-fiction writer who produced more than 30 books. He was born in Wednesbury, West Midlands and served that town as a justice of the peace, historian, and councillor. He wrote for the Wednesbury Herald for twenty years.

Early life Frederick Hackwood was born on 18 April 1851 at 69 High Street East, Wednesbury, to Enoch and Sarah Hackwood. His father was a tailor and the family had moved to Wednesbury from Stoke-on-Trent in the mid-18th century.

In 1868, Hackwood gained admission to St. Peter's Teachers Training College, Saltley.

Career

Hackwood was appointed headmaster of the Wednesbury parish church schools in 1872. It received a wide circulation, including in the United States and Australia. He was a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a member of the William Salt Archaeological Society. founded the Horticultural Society, and in the early 1870s set up the town's first football club, Wednesbury F.C., later known as Wednesbury Strollers F.C. He was a player himself but lost interest in the game after it became professional. from 1887 to 1893.

Educational Notes of Lessons on Moral Subjects, a Handbook for Teachers in Elementary Schools. Nelson, 1883. (Nelson's School Series) The Practical Method of Class Management. A ready guide of useful hints to young class teachers. G. Philip & Son, London, 1896. Natural History Reference Notes to accompany Philips' “Typical” Series of Natural History Pictures, etc. Philip & Son, London, 1897. Notes of Lessons on the Church Service: A handbook for teachers, etc. Sonnenschein & Co., London, 1897. New Object Lessons. Animal Life. Pearson (C. A.) Pearson's Teachers' Series. Chatty Object Lessons in Nature Knowledge &c. Longmans, Green & Co., London, 1900.

West Midlands and the Black Country The Wednesbury Papers. R. Ryder, Wednesbury, 1884. (Reprinted from the Wednesbury Herald and the Midland Advertiser] A History of Darlaston, Near Wednesbury. Horton Brothers, 1887. Wednesbury Workshops; or, Some Account of the Industries of a Black Country Town. Horton Brothers, The Woden Press, Wednesbury, 1889. History of Tipton in Staffordshire. 1891. A History of West Bromwich. Birmingham News' & Printing Co, Birmingham, 1895. (Reprinted from the Midland Sun) Some Records of Smethwick. Telephone Printing Co., Smethwick, 1896. (Reprinted from the Smethwick Telephone) Wednesbury Faces, Places, and Industries. Robert Ryder, Wednesbury, 1897. (contributed most of the text) Olden Wednesbury: Its Whims and Ways ... Reprinted from the "Wednesbury Herald" etc.. Ryder & Son, Wednesbury, 1899. Religious Wednesbury: Its Creeds, Churches, & Chapels. 'Herald' Press, Dudley, 1900. (Reprinted from the Dudley Herald) Wednesbury Ancient and Modern: Being Mainly its Memorial and Municipal History. Ryder & Son, Wednesbury, 1902. (Reprinted from the Wednesbury Herald) The Chronicles of Cannock Chase. Mercury: Lichfield & Elliot Stock, London, 1903. (Reprinted from the Lichfield Mercury) The Story of the Black Country. Whitehead Brothers, Wolverhampton. Staffordshire Curiosities & Antiquities. Birmingham, 1905. (Reprinted from the Staffordshire Chronicle) Handsworth: Old & New. A History. Frederick Hackwood, Handsworth, 1908. (Reprinted from The Handsworth Herald) The Annals of Willenhall. Whitehead Brothers, Wolverhampton, 1908. Staffordshire Worthies. Chronicle Press, Stafford & [Frederick Hackwood], Birmingham, 1911. (Reprinted from the Staffordshire Chronicle) Oldbury and round about in the Worcestershire corner of the black country. Whitehead Bros, Wolverhampton; Cornish Bros, Birmingham, 1915. Staffordshire Customs, Superstitions & Folklore. Mercury Press, Lichfield, 1924. (Reprinted from the Lichfield Mercury) Glimpses of Bygone Staffordshire. Mercury Press, Lichfield, 1925. (Reprinted from The Lichfield Mercury)

Other Christ Lore: Being the Legends, Traditions, Myths, Symbols, Customs, and Superstitions of the Christian Church. Elliot Stock, London, 1902. The Birmingham Midlands: the geography and history of the counties of Warwick, Stafford and Worcester. 1906. Old English Sports. T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1907. Inns, Ales, and Drinking Customs of Old England. T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1909. The Good Old Times. The Romance of Humble Life in England. T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1910. Good Cheer. The Romance of Food and Feasting. T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1911. William Hone: His Life and Times. 1912.; The Life of Lord Kitchener. 1912. The Story of the Shire: Being the Lore History and Evolution of English County Institutions. Heath Cranton, London. Dragons and Dragon Slayers. R.T.S., London. The Bridal Book: Being the Lore, History & Philosophy of Love, Courtship & Marriage. Heath Cranton, London.