ALAN DAVIDSON is one of the world'¬?s leading authorities on fish and fish cookery. In 1975, he retired from Britain's diplomatic service to pursue a fruitful career as a food historian and writer. Cofounder and editor of the prestigious food journal Petits Propos Culinares, Alan has authored many books, including the award-winning Oxford Companion to Food and NORTH ATLANTIC SEAFOOD, which was inducted into the James Beard Foundation Cookbook Hall of Fame in 2002. He lives with his wife, Jane, in London, England.
PETER LUND SIMMONDS (1814-1897) was born in Aarhus, Denmark, and eventually moved to London, where he pursued his interest in agriculture and food consumption. He served as curator for the British exhibit at the Paris Exhibition in 1867 and the Amsterdam exhibitions in 1869 and 1883.