Frederic William Maitland (1850-1906) was a pivotal figure in the field of English legal history, renowned for his meticulous exploration of common law and its development. His seminal work, The History of English Law before the Time of Edward I, co-authored with Sir Frederick Pollock, remains a cornerstone in understanding how customary laws shaped modern legal systems in England and America. Maitland's scholarship spanned a broad array of subjects, including medieval property laws, constitutional and canon law, and the historical roots of legal concepts like malice aforethought. As a founder of the Selden Society, he played a crucial role in publishing primary legal materials, significantly advancing the study of legal history.

Educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, Maitland initially pursued law, practicing as a barrister before returning to academia. In 1888, he became the Downing Professor of the Laws of England at Cambridge, a position he held until his death. His work in publishing and annotating documents like Pleas of the Crown for the County of Gloucester in 1221 initiated a greater scholarly interest in public records of judicial decisions.

Maitland's major works, such as Domesday Book and Beyond and Roman Canon Law in the Church of England, explored the intersections of law, society, and church governance throughout English history. His lectures, later published in works like Township and Borough, provided exhaustive analyses of technical legal histories and their societal implications.

Critically acclaimed for integrating legal studies with historical analysis, Maitland's contributions helped shift the focus of historical inquiry beyond monarchial narratives to broader societal legal structures. His influence persists, with scholars like R. J. White and James R. Cameron recognizing his profound impact on the academic study of history and law. Maitland's legacy is underscored by W. S. Holdsworth's praise, asserting him as one of the greatest historians and legal scholars of his era, as noted in Maitland, and further elaborated by Vinogradoff and Ernest Barker.