James Hodges (fl. 1730? – 1758?)
James Hodges, bookseller and publisher (1730?–58?) at the Looking Glass on London Bridge; over against St. Magnus's Church, London Bridge; near London Bridge.
Notes & Queries "London Booksellers Series" (1931–2)
HODGES, JAMES. The earliest reference I have found to this bookseller occurs in 1740 when he was in business at the Looking Glass on London Bridge. He occupied the same premises in 1750, though some few years after this he retired to Bath, where he died in October, 1774.
—Frederick T. Wood, 29 August 1931
HODGES, JAMES. This bookseller was at the Looking Glass, near St. Magnus Church on London Bridge considerably before 1740, the earliest date traceable by DR. WOOD. I have notes of several imprints of James Hodges at this address between 1733 and 1740, and Mr. G. J. Gray, of Cambridge, in an article which he contributed on London Bridge Booksellers to 'N. and Q.' (6 S. vii. 462), gave him here from 1720 to 1757. He probably succeeded F. Hodges who was at this shop, 1710–1722. James Hodees seems to have retired from business in 1757; he was knighted by George II in 1758. and after that year was much occupied with public affairs.
—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)
HODGES (SIR JAMES), bookseller in London: (1) The Looking-Glass over against [or under] St. Magnus Church; (2) At the Looking-Glass on London Bridge. 1730(?)–1758(?). Is believed to have succeeded Thomas Norris at this house about 1730. His early history is unknown. Like all the booksellers on London Bridge he dealt largely in chap-books and penny histories such as Robin Hood's Garland, Amadis of Gaul, The History of Reynard the Fox, Tom Thumb, and a host of others. At the same time he sold literature of a higher order, such as works on navigation and books on popular science, e.g. The Laboratory or School of Arts, which dealt with glass-making, cutlery, &c. Another of his numerous publications was The Art of Painting in Miniature, and in 1737 he issued a collection from the poets entitled The Muses' Library, made by Elizabeth Cooper. In 1750 Hodges was elected deputy for Bridge Ward Without, and later he held the position of town clerk of the City of London. In 1758 he was knighted by George II, on presenting an address.