Robert Woodford (17th-century diarist)

Robert Woodford (1606–1654) was an English lawyer, best known as the author of an extensive diary that covers the period 1637-1641.

Robert Woodford was born at Old, Northamptonshire on 3 April 1606, a son of Robert Woodford and his wife Jane Dexter. He was educated at Brixworth and trained as an attorney by John Reading, a barrister at Inner Temple.

In 1635, Robert married Hannah Haunch (1617-1699) at All Hallows, London Wall. She was the daughter of Robert Haunch and his wife Susanna Heighes. In due course, the couple were the parents of 14 children, many of whom did not survive to adulthood.

Robert practised as a lawyer in Northampton, London and elsewhere and served as Steward of Northampton from 1635 onwards.

Robert is most remarkable as a diarist. Only one item of his writings appears to survive, but it provides a detailed insight into the experiences and world-view of a devout Puritan who travelled between London and the Midlands during the years leading up to the English Civil War. The manuscript is bound as a single volume and runs from 20 August 1637 to 16 August 1641. It is currently held by New College, Oxford (NCA 9502) and appears from annotations on its cover to be one of a series of diaries kept by the author. The diary contains 588 pages, the text of which runs to some 89,000 words. The subject matter includes accounts of the author's family events and business activities along with extensive comments and reflections of a spiritual nature.

Robert died at Northampton on 15 November 1654 and was buried there at All Saints' church two days later. He left no will, administration of his estate being granted in the following year to his widow Hannah. One of their descendants was James Woodforde, another noted diarist.

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