Samuel Gale

Samuel Gale (1682–1754) was an English antiquary, a founder of the Society of Antiquaries of London.

The youngest son of Thomas Gale, dean of York, and brother of Roger Gale, he was born in the parish of St Faith's, London, on 17 December 1682. He was baptised on 20 December, Samuel Pepys being one of his godfathers. He was educated at St Paul's School, London, where his father was High Master, but did not got to university.

Around 1702 he obtained a post in the custom house, London. At the time of his death he was one of the land surveyors of the customs, and searcher of the books and curiosities imported into England. Gale was one of the founders of the revived Society of Antiquaries, and was elected its first treasurer in January 1718. He resigning the treasurership in 1740. He was also a member of the Spalding Society, and of the Brazennose Literary Society at Stamford (founded 1745).

Gale went on archæological excursions through England. For many years he and his friend Andrew Ducarel used in August to travel incognito, journeying about fifteen miles a day. They took up their quarters at an inn, exploring the country for three or four miles round. They had with them William Camden's Britannia and a set of maps. In 1705 Gale visited Oxford, Bath and Stonehenge, and wrote descriptive accounts. On 29 August 1744 he made a pilgrimage with William Stukeley to Croyland Abbey. On 16 May 1747 he visited Cannons, the mansion of the Duke of Chandos, and, lamenting its impending demolition, went into the chapel, and preached an appropriate sermon, while his two companions sang an anthem and psalms.

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