Charles Hitch (d. 1764; fl. 1733–1764)

Identifiers

Occupations

  • Bookseller
  • Publisher
  • Map Publisher
  • Music Publisher
  • Music Seller

Charles Hitch, bookseller (1733–64); at the Red Lion in Paternoster Row; at the Looking Glass facing St. Magnus Church on London Bridge.

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

HITCH, CHARLES. He was a Justice of the Peace for Essex, Master of the Stationers' Company in 1758, and son-in-law to A. Bettesworth (see above), whom he succeeded in business at the Red Lion in Paternoster Row about 1740. He became well known amongst literary society in the capital, and conducted a flourishing business until his death on Sept. 20, 1764. He was one of the partners in the publication of Johnson's Dictionary in May, 1755. A memoir of him appears in Nichols's 'Anecdotes.' (iii. 390), while a sidelight is also cast upon him in Mumby's 'Printing. Publishing and Bookselling' (1930).

—Frederick T. Wood, 29 August 1931

 

HITCH, CHARLES. Imprints are found of this bookseller, publishing in conjunction with his father-in-law, Arthur Bettesworth, at the Red Lion in Paternoster Row, as early as 1733 and 1735. Bettesworth (q.v.) having removed there from his old shop at the Red Lion on London Bridge in 1715. Hitch was still at Paternoster Row up till 1747. About the year 1747 he was in business with J. Hodges at the Looking Glass, facing St. Magnus Church, on London Bridge. The latest imprint I have found of this partnership is dated 1757, though Hitch was probably there for some years after that. Charles Hitch was made Master of the Stationers' Company in 1758 and died in 1764. According to Timperley he was Commissioner of the Peace for the county of Essex and was buried at Eastham. His stock was sold by auction 8 Jan., 1765.

—Ambrose Heal, 31 October 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)

HITCH (C.), bookseller in London, Paternoster Row, 1733–64. In 1735 Johnson's Lobo was "printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch". Later in partnership with L. Hawes. They dealt largely in novels such as The Inhuman Husband, The Batchelor of Salamancha, The History of Hippolyto and Aminta. A catalogue of some of their publications in 1752 is found at the end of the twelfth edition of John Locke's Some Thoughts Concerning Education. Printed for S. Birt, &c., 1752. [B.M. 8307. c. 21.] Hitch was Master of the Stationers' Company in 1758. He died September 20th, 1764.