Frederick Burdett Butler, son of Frederick Samuel and Alice Mary (nee Woodhead) and nephew of Percy Burdett Butler, grandson of Frederick Burdett Butler was born in November 1903 in Auckland.
He had a keen sense of local history and over a span of 50 years gathered a collection of archives, manuscripts, photographs and artefacts, most of which related to Taranaki history. He wrote articles for the local newspapers from 1927 to 1947, using two nom de plumes 'Humane' and also 'Egmont'.
After an accident in which he lost an eye, Fred decided to dispose of his collection. He had been selling some items over a period. Some were purchased by the New Plymouth City Library and some by the Taranaki Museum.
In 1970, after a disagreement with the New Plymouth City Council, Fred Butler sold the bulk of his collection to institutions outside the province and moved to Tauranga, taking the remnants of his collection with him, however, this was not successful and he moved to Thames in 1978 where he spent his remaining years. He died on the 10th of January 1982.