This book is a guide to Shrewsbury, a market town and the county town of Shropshire, England, on the River Severn, 150 miles (240 km) northwest of London. The town center has a largely unspoiled medieval street plan and over 660 listed buildings, including several examples of timber framing from the 15th and 16th centuries. Shrewsbury Castle, a red sandstone fortification, and Shrewsbury Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery, were founded in 1074 and 1083 respectively by the Norman Earl of Shrewsbury, Roger de Montgomery. The town is the birthplace of Charles Darwin and is where he spent 27 years of his life.

"Historical and Descriptive Guide Through Shrewsbury" by S. F. Williams is a brief overview of Shrewsbury and its history. While it does not claim to have been a contemporary guide at the time it was written, the book can still be considered not solely a historical text, but also a generally informative one. Recounting some of the most important historical events to take place in the area, the book could serve as an interesting companion should one find themself in Shrewsbury.