John Henry Walsh

John Henry Walsh FRCS (21 October, 1810 - 12 February, 1888), English writer on sport under the pseudonym of "Stonehenge", was born at Hackney, London.

He was educated at private schools, and became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1844. For several years he followed his profession of surgeon, but gradually abandoned it on account of the success of his works on the subject of sport. He removed from the country to London in 1852, and the following year brought out his first important book, The Greyhound (3rd ed. 1875), a collection of papers originally contributed to "Bell's Life."

In 1856 his Manual of British Rural Sports appeared, which enjoyed many editions. During the same year he joined the staff of The Field, and became its editor at the close of 1857. Among his numerous books published under the name of "Stonehenge" are:


 * The Shot-Gun and Sporting Rifle (1859)
 * The Dog in Health and Disease (1859; 4th ed. 1887)
 * The Horse in the Stable and in the Field (1861; 13th ed. 1890)
 * Dogs of the British Isles (1867; 3rd ed. 1885)
 * The Modern Sportsman's Gun and Rifle (1882-1884)

While editor of The Field Walsh instituted a series of trials of guns, rifles and sporting powders extending over a period of many years, which greatly tended to the development of sporting firearms; and his influence upon all branches of sport was stimulating and beneficial.

He died at Putney on 12 February, 1888, aged 77.