Thomas Corbett (d. 1743; fl. 1714–43)

CORBETT (THOMAS), bookseller and book-auctioneer in London, (i) corner of Ludgate Hill, next Fleet Bridge; (2) (a) the Child's Coat, down the Ditch side near Bridewell Bridge; (b) by Fleet Ditch; (3) Addison's Head, next the Rose Tavern, without Temple Bar. 1715–43. Apparently son of Charles Corbet of the Oxford Arms. Thomas Corbett's name does not appear in the records of the Stationers' Company either as apprentice or freeman. In 1705 he published the fourth edition 'with additions, on a fine paper and Elzevir letter", of New Miscellaneous Poems. [Postman, Sept. 6th–8th, 1715.] In the same year he also published a sermon called Great Britain's Happiness under ... a Protestant King, by Gershom Rawlins. [B.M. 4474. d. 99.] In 1716 he began selling books by auction at his warehouse, the Child's Coat, down the Ditch side, near Bridewell Bridge. Here on Nov. 7th, 1716, he sold the library of Thomas Cooke of Fulham, and on October 31st, 1717, the library of the Rev. – Kirke of Chester. [Daily Courant, Oct. 29th, 1717.] In 1719 he moved to the Addison's Head without Temple Bar, where he continued until his death in 1743. Sir Charles Corbett, the famous lottery agent and bookseller, is believed to have been his son.

CORBETT, THOMAS. Was in business at the Child's Coat, near Bridewell Bridge, by 1715, where he conducted several book-auctions. In 1719 he removed to Addison's Head, without Temple Bar, and remained there until his death in 1743. In 1730 he published 'Some Remarks on the Tragedy of Timoleon,' a criticism of the play by Benjamin Martyn, while in the Daily Journal for June 22, 1730, he advertises for sale a number of old books, including Holinshed's 'Chronicles,' Camden's 'Britannia,' Foxe's 'Book of Martyrs,' Clarendon's 'History of the Rebellion,' and Stowe's 'Survey of London.'

—Frederick T. Wood, 1 August 1931