HISTORY
Burke’s Peerage has provided authoritative genealogical records of historical families for 198 years. Its records were originally compiled by members of the Burke family and added to by others to build a unique collection of books of genealogical and heraldic interest. Burke’s Peerage continues to develop its unique position and update its collection of records and publish further editions both online and in print. The current owner is sensitive to the history associated with Burke’s Peerage and endeavours to honour its reputation and the Burke family who established what has become a world-famous institution. Burke’s Peerage continues to make frequent appearances in modern culture, including popular television series as diverse as The Persuaders!, Magnum PI and Downton Abbey, also Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in On Her Majesty's Secret Service and Agatha Christie’s Poirot.
Burke’s Peerage was established in London in 1826 by John Burke (1786–1848), who pioneered the narrative style which has become the trademark of Burke’s Peerage publications and a recognised model for written genealogies worldwide. He was also the progenitor of a dynasty of genealogists and heralds. His son Sir John Bernard Burke (1814–92) was Ulster King of Arms (1853–92) and his grandson Sir Henry Farnham Burke (1859–1930) was Garter Principal King of Arms (1919–30). After his death, ownership passed through a few people, until the titles and copyright were reunited by Shaw’s Reference Series, later incorporated in Mercury House Publications, which sold those in 1973 to the Holdway Group. Entirely new volumes on Royal Families of the world, country houses of the British Isles and Irish genealogy were then published by Burke’s Peerage.
In 1984, Burke’s Peerage decided to separate and sell the copyright, which again passed through a few owners. In 1999, a new 106th edition of Burke’s Peerage was published, which comprised an updating and revision of the 105th edition (1970). The company, which owned the Burke’s Peerage name, Burke’s Landed Gentry and other titles, formed in 1984 came to an end. Burke’s Peerage Partnership was formed in 1987 by those associated with the former company.
In 2000, new owners licensed the right to publish Burke’s Landed Gentry. After a gap of over 30 years, in 2001, a revised 19th edition of Burke’s Landed Gentry was published. In 2002 they bought the rights to Burke’s Peerage bringing both titles under one publisher, Burke’s Peerage and Gentry Limited. In 2003 a new and fully updated 107th edition of Burke’s Peerage was published. Then in 2013 they sold Burke’s Peerage, with all its assets, rights, titles, copyright and trademarks to the newly formed, Burke’s Peerage Limited, since then owned by William Bortrick.
EDITORS
Burke’s Peerage editors include John Burke (1786–1848), Sir John Bernard Burke (1814–92), Ashworth Peter Burke (1864–1919), Sir Henry Farnham Burke (1859–1930) of Burke’s Peerage; Arthur Charles Fox-Davies (1871–1928) of Burke’s Landed Gentry of Ireland 1912 and Burke’s Landed Gentry 1914; A. Winton Thorpe of Burke’s Peerage and Burke’s Landed Gentry 1921; Alfred Trego Butler MVO (1880–1946), Windsor Herald of Arms in Ordinary 1931–46 of Burke's Peerage 1923–34 and Burke’s Landed Gentry 1925; Miss E. M. Swinhoe of Burke’s Peerage 1927–37; J. W. Smallshaw 1938–40 of Burke’s Peerage (although his name is not mentioned in those editions); Harry Pirie-Gordon of Buthlaw (1883–1969) of Burke’s Landed Gentry 1930–36; John Seymour de Spon, Baron de Spon (1913–98) of Burke’s Peerage 1941–46; Leslie G. Pine (1907–87) of Burke’s Peerage 1946–60; K. Peter Townend (1921–2001) of Burke’s Peerage 1960–71; Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd (1946–2007) was assistant editor 1968–71, editor 1971 and editorial director 1972–83; Mark Bence-Jones (1930–2010) of Burke’s Irish Family Records 1973–76; and Charles Mosley (1948–2013) of Burke’s Peerage 1989–2004.