xii 



Ireland,' which was published in two volumes by the trustees in 

 1885. This book, which was based on a catalogue compiled by the 

 late Mr. Edward Hawkins, was completed and in a great measure 

 re-written by Mr. Franks, though the work was in reality outside 

 his own department. In carrying out his object he was much aided 

 by Mr. H. A. Grueber, and the ' Illustrations ' will long remain the 

 standard authority on the subject of British medals struck before the 

 death of George II. 



His connexion with the Society of Antiquaries was almost as long 

 as that with the British Museum, he having been elected a Fellow in 

 1853. He did much to improve its library and its publications, and 

 for upwards of twenty years he was Director of the Society. His 

 communications, both to its Proceedings and to the Archaeologia, 

 were numerous and important. In 1892 he was elected President, 

 thus becoming an ex officio trustee of the British Museum, and on 

 his retirement from the post of Keeper of British and Mediaeval 

 Antiquities and Ethnography in 1896 he was elected a member of the 

 Standing Committee of Trustees. 



He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1874, and was an 

 Honorary Member of the Royal Irish Academy and of numerous 

 Foreign Societies. He also for some years before his death held the 

 post of Antiquary to the Royal Academy. The University of Oxford 

 conferred upon him the honorary degree of D.C.L., and that of Cam- 

 bridge of Litt. D., and in 1894 he was promoted by Her Majesty to 

 the rank of K.C.B. 



Among British archaeologists there was no one who had a wider or 

 more accurate knowledge in nearly every department than Sir Wol- 

 laston Franks, and he was ever ready to communicate all that he 

 knew with characteristic liberality. It is, however, sad to think 

 what an amount of incommunicable knowledge has perished with 

 him. His kindly nature led to the formation of numerous and endur- 

 ing friendships, and his death leaves in the hearts of many a void 

 that can never be refilled. 



J. E. 



