William Crossing (1847 - 1928) was a writer and documenter of Dartmoor and Dartmoor life. He lived at Brenttor and at Mary Tavy.

He was born in Plymouth, November 14, 1847. From his earliest youth he was fond of Dartmoor, his early associations centring around the neighbourhood of Sheepstor, Walkhampton, Meavy, and Yannadon.

He acquired a taste for antiquities from his mother. Later on, Crossing explored Tavistock, Coryton, Lydford, Okehampton, and the northern borders of the Moor, as well as South Brent, on its southern verge.

After leaving school at Plymouth, he went to the Independent College at Taunton, and then returned to finish his education at the Mannamead School.

His earliest literary efforts were in the direction of fiction - 'thrilling romances,' composed for the delectation of his school-fellows. His first essay in poetry was at the age of fourteen, when a poem written by him appeared in the pages of Young England, December, 1861.

In 1863 he went for a short coastal voyage to Wales, and gained a liking for the sea; and in 1864 he joined a vessel bound for Canada, and had a narrow escape, nearly being crushed by an iceberg during the night. Returning from this voyage, he took to business pursuits in Plymouth, and then recommenced his Dartmoor explorations.

In 1872 he married and settled down at Brent. In the previous year he began making notes about his rambles, without, however, any systematic arrangement; after his marriage he seems to have become more methodical, and to have decided to write a book descriptive of the moorland district.

He is now considered one of the best authorities on Dartmoor and its antiquities, having made it the subject of his life's work. He was one of the earliest members of the Dartmoor Preservation Association, joining it immediately on its formation.

Books

Crossing's Guide to Dartmoor

The Dartmoor Worker

Dartmoor's Early Historic and Medieval Remains

Leaves from Sherwood, etc.; original poems; Plymouth, 1868.

The Ancient Crosses of Dartmoor; with a Description of their Surroundings; Exeter1887. (An expansion of a series of articles which originally appeared in the Western Antiquary.)

Amid Devonia's Alps;or, Wanderings and Adventures on Dartmoor; Plymouth, 1888.

Tales of the Dartmoor Pixies : Glimpses of Elfin Haunts and Antics; 1890

Crockern Tor and the Ancient Stannary Parliament; Exeter, 1892.

The Chronicles of Crazy Well; Plymouth, 1893.

The Ocean Trail; Plymouth, 1894.

Widey Court; Plymouth, 1895.

Folk Rhymes of Devon