“ Educated in his native city, he entered the Public Record Office in London in 1846, becoming assistant keeper of the public records (1859–1893) . Gairdner’s valuable and painstaking contributions to English history relate chiefly to the reigns of Richard III., Henry VII. and Henry VIII. For the “Rolls Series” he edited Letters and Papers illustrative of the Reigns of Richard III. and Henry VII. (London, 1861–1863) , and Memorials of Henry VII. (London, 1858) ”