Thomas Longman the Second (1730–1797; fl. 1754–1794)

[Thomas Longman II.] Thomas Longman I died 18 June, 1755, and he left the bulk of his stock divided between his widow Mary and his nephew Thomas. The remainder was sold by auction on 8 April, 1756. The nephew Thomas had been taken into partnership in 1753 and the imprint of T. and T. Longman appeared on Locke's 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding,' (1753) and also on Johnson's Dictionary (1755). For a few years after the death of T. Longman I, we find the imprints of M. and T. Longman. Mary Longman died 16 Jan., 1762; and Thomas Longman II died in February, 1797. He was succeeded by his son Thomas Norton Longman. For further details of the firm see the Critic, March and April, 1860; 'D. N. B.' and the 'House of Longman,' privately published in 1925.

—Ambrose Heal, 7 November 1931

[LONGMAN (THOMAS) II.] [nephew of Thomas Longman I,] bookseller in London, Ship and Black Swan, Paternoster Row, 1726–75. See Dictionary, 1668-1725. The firm was carried on after the death of the founder under the same title. The name occurs in numerous advertisements of high-class publications up to 1775. In 1728 the firm was interested in the publication of Chambers's Encyclopaedia. Longman's share when it was first published cost £50, and was probably 1/64th part; but he bought up other shares, and by 1740 the Stationers' Book assigns him 11 out of 64 shares, a larger number than was ever held by any other proprietor. On the death of Osborn, his father-in-law, in 1746 Longman took Thomas Shremrell into partnership, but this only lasted two years. In 1754 a nephew, Thomas Longman (II), became a partner, after which the title-pages of their booksran: "Printed for T. & T. Longman at the Ship in Paternoster Row." The firm was associated with Dodsley, Millar, and others in the publication of Johnson's Dictionary. On June 10th, 1765, only two months after its publication, Thomas I, the elder, died. He had no children and left half the partnership stock to his nephew, and the rest of his property to his widow. Thomas Longman (II), the nephew, was born in 1731, entered the firm aged 15 as an apprentice, and at his uncle's death was only 25. Under his management the old tradtions were kept up, and the business relations with the American Colonies were increased. At the outbreak of War, Longman had a large sum laid out in that particular business, but several of his correspondents liquidated their debts in full even subsequent to the Peace of 1783. Longman married a Miss Harris and had by her three sons, of whom Thomas Norton Longman, born in 1771, began to take his father's place in the firm about 1792. In 1794 Owen Rees was admitted a member and the title of the firm was altered to Longman & Co. Thomas Longman (II) died February 5th, 1797. [Curwen.]