Fabian Stedman

Fabian Stedman was an English author and a leading figure in the early history of campanology, in the field of method ringing, who lived from 1640 to 1713 and is also regarded as a pioneer of group theory. Born at Yarkhill in Herefordshire, the third son of the Reverend Francis Stedman, and baptised there on 7 December 1640, he went to London at fifteen as an apprentice master printer, where he became a well-known bellringer. He joined the Ancient Society of College Youths in 1664, became its steward in 1667 and its Master in 1682, and later worked as an auditor of Customs and Excise. He published the first book on change ringing, Tintinnalogia, written by Richard Duckworth, in 1667, and wrote Campanalogia, published in 1677, the second publication on the subject.