This early work by James Halliwell-Phillipps was originally published in 1863 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'An Historical Sketch of the Provincial Dialects of England' is a work on the history and development of the English language. James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps was born on 21st June 1820, in London, England. Halliwell-Phillipps was privately educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he became intensely interested in the subject of antiquarian English literature. He began publishing works in the field at a very young age, including editing Sir John Mandeville's 'Travels' (1839), and writing an 'Account of the European Manuscripts in the Chetham Library' (1842). His love of literature was accompanied by a passion for all things Shakespearian, producing several publications on 'The Bard' and his works, such as 'Life of Shakespeare' (1848), 'Curiosities of Modern Shakespeare Criticism' (1853), and 'The Last Days of William Shakespeare' (1863). He also took a key role in protecting the historical Shakespearian sites in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeare's town of birth.