Hunting from Hampstead

Robert’s first book ‘Hunting from Hampstead‘ (Book Guild, 2002), came about after he inherited a bundle of perfectly preserved watercolour sketch books in his mother’s estate. Each page was filled with beautiful, illustrated drawing of hunting and country life. Further research showed that they had been drawn at the turn of the century by Cecil Stedall, his great Uncle. ‘Hunting from Hampstead‘ tells the story of Cecil and his brothers, who hunted from the family home in Hampstead, and travelled to Palestine with their horses to fight in the First World War. It was illustrated throughout with Cecil’s drawings and photographs taken by his mother. The book was warmly received and offers a fascinating window into a family’s life at the turn of the 20th century.

Hunting from Hampstead – Robert Stedall (Book Guild 2002)

He later embarked on Men of Substance – The London Livery Companies’ Reluctant part in the Plantation of Ulster published by Austin Macauley in 2016. Having been Master of the Ironmongers’ Livery Company in 1989, he was well-placed to access the voluminous Livery Company records to provide an account of their estates in Co. Londonderry from about 1610 to c. 1900. The story is set withing the context of Irish history during the period of British settlement in Ireland with all its religious and political repercussions, which led to partition and the ‘troubles’ of more recent times.

Before retirement, Robert Stedall spent his professional career as a chartered accountant and finance director. He was educated at Marlborough College and graduated from McGill University in Montreal. He is a keen gardener, sailor and occasional poet.