John Brindley (d. 1758; fl. 1713–1758)

Identifiers

Occupations

  • Bookseller
  • Publisher
  • Map Publisher
  • Book Binder

John Brindley, bookseller, publisher, publisher of maps, and book binder; Tower Ditch, Little Britain; at the Hospital Gate, Little Britain; at the King's Arms, 29 New Bond Street (address also given as Bond Street, near Hanover Square).

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

BRINDLEY, J. Bookseller of New Bond Street. He first comes into prominence in 1728. At the close of our period, in 1750, he was still conducting his business at the same address. In the London Daily Post of Dec. 23, 1741, he advertises as "Bookseller to His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales."

—Frederick T. Wood, 25 July 1931

 

BRINDLEY, J. Joshua Brindley [John's father] was the founder of the business known as Ellis at 29, New Bond Street. He started life in 1723 as a book-binder at "Christ's Hospital Gate near the Pump in Little Britain." In 1728 he moved to the King's Arms in New Bond Street, and was in business there as a book-seller and book-binder until his death in 1758. His widow Penelope carried on the business, assisted by the shop-man, James Robson, who succeeded to the business on her death in 1759. Robson did not retire until 1806. A fine trade-card of John Brindley is in Messrs. Ellis's possession; it is illustrated in the history of their firm. 'The Oldest London Booksellers' (1928) from which many interesting details of this historic firm may be gathered.

—Ambrose Heal, 8 August 1931

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)

BRINDLEY (JAMES [i.e., JOHN), bookseller, publisher, and bookbinder in London, (1) Hospital Gate, Little Britain, (2) 29 New Bond Street. (?) 1726–58. Began business as a bookbinder before 1728 in Little Britain, but soon afterwards set up as a publisher in New Bond Street. In 1736 he described himself as bookseller and bookbinder to the Royal family. The Society for the Incouragement of Learning appointed him one of six booksellers to the Royal family. The Society for the Incouragement of Learning appointed him one of six booksellers to retail their publications. He published Mr. Pemberton's View of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophy in 1728, and W. Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle's General System of Horsemanship, wihch he edited himself, in 1743. In 1744 he bagan to issue an edition of the classics in duodecimo, very well printed, which became known ast Brindley's Classics. In 1750 J. Hart the printer printed for him a new edition of Sir T. Urquhart's translation of the works of Rabelais, with numerous plates. On June 17th, 1751, he was in correspondence with Dr. Birch. Brindley was also the publisher of some of Eliza Haywood's novels. He died some time in 1758, and was succeeded by a relative, James Robson. [Nichols, III, 634; v. 5. 323.] The premises are now occupied by Messrs. Ellis & Elvey, booksellers.