Thomas Wright (fl. 1733–1745)

Identifiers

  • Grubstreet: 10861

Occupations

  • Bookseller
  • Publisher
  • Circulating Library Keeper

Thomas Wright, bookseller (1733–45), at the Bible in Exeter Exchange, Strand; in Exeter Court, Strand.

A Dictionary of the Printers and Booksellers who were at work in England, Scotland and Ireland from 1726 to 1775, by Henry Plomer et al. (1932)

WRIGHT (   ), bookseller in London, no. 132 in the Strand, 1740. Timperley says that he established the first circulating library in London in 1740, and that Batho, Bell, Lowndes, and the Nobles were his most successful rivals. There is an undated trade card of Wright's Circulating Library in Exeter Court, Strand. [A. Heal's Collection.]

Notes & Queries "London Booksellers Series" (1931–2)

WRIGHT, T.  One of the first booksellers to add book-lending to his business was T. Wright at the sign of the Bible in Exeter Exchange, Strand, who, at least as early as 1743, had opened "a Library for Lending all Manner of Books at 16s. a year." This is probably the same Wright who, possibly a little later, "started a circulating library proper at 132, Strand." (The Times, 2 Sept., 1913). Timperley stated that Wright established his Circulating Library at 132, Strand in 1740, and that his was the earliest business of its kind to be opened in London. This claim, however, has now been questioned and credit for being the pioneer in this field has been given to Samuel Fancourt (see 'The Projector of Circulating Libraries' ante pp. 319, 358).

—Ambrose Heal, 19 December 1931