David Masson, Scottish writer and editor, b. 1822. Mr. Masson was “an enthusiastic friend and admirer of Thomas Carlyle,” and he “actively promoted the movement for the university education of women.” He wrote a biography: Life of Milton in Connexion with the History of His Own Time in six volumes and edited a three volume edition of Milton’s collected works.

David Macaulay, b. 1946. I love Mr. Macaulay’s books: Cathedral (1973), City (1974), Pyramid (1975), Underground (1976), Castle (1977), Unbuilding (1980), Mill (1983), and Ship (1993). We also watched several episodes of the PBS series Building Big in which Mr. Macaulay explains the history and construction of bridges, tunnels, skyscrapers, domes, and dams. My kids were even inspired to build their own dam. If you haven’t experience David Macaulay’s books, you should. Any one of them would make a great Christmas for the architecturally inquisitive child or adult on your list.