Local history is the study of the
history of a relatively small geographic area; typically a specific settlement, parish or county. English local history came to the fore with the
antiquarians of the 19th century and was particularly emphasised by the creation of the
Victoria County History series in
England. Its establishment as a formal academic discipline is usually credited to
W. G. Hoskins who also popularised the subject with his book
The Making of the English Landscape.