Alexander Donaldson (bookseller)
Alexander Donaldson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1727 Scotland |
| Died | 1794-03-11 Broughton Hall, near Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Occupation(s) | Printer, bookseller, publisher |
| Known for | Founder of the Edinburgh Advertiser; notable for marketing affordable reprints and involvement in copyright legal battles |
Alexander Donaldson (1727 – 11 March 1794) was a Scottish printer, bookseller, and publisher. He established the weekly periodical known as the Edinburgh Advertiser. Donaldson became notable for marketing affordable reprints of books once their copyrights had expired, directly contesting the prevailing perspectives of London booksellers on literary ownership.
Early life
He was born to Dr. James Donaldson (died 1754), a textile manufacturer who also served as Treasurer of Edinburgh, and Elizabeth Weir (died 1768). His grandfather on his father's side, Capt. James Donaldson, was the publisher of The Edinburgh Gazette. Alexander inherited approximately £10,000 from his father’s estate.
In 1748, he launched a bookselling business in Edinburgh. On 29 August 1750, he obtained the status of Burgess and Guild Brother of Edinburgh by virtue of his father's rights, circumventing the usual apprenticeship process. On 10 January 1751, he married Anna Marshall, daughter of a merchant, likely receiving a considerable dowry.
Professional life
With financial support, Donaldson entered into a junior partnership with Alexander Kincaid from 1751 to 1758. During their initial year, Kincaid & Donaldson published Dr. Francis Home's Essay on the Contents and Virtues of Dunse-Spaw as well as Henry Home’s Essays on the Principles of Morality and Natural Religion. In 1752, they were the exclusive publishers of David Hume's Political Discourses. After departing from Kincaid, Donaldson’s direct involvement in publishing key works of the Scottish Enlightenment diminished, except for some collaboration with James Boswell. Alexander Kincaid subsequently became Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
Between 1755 and 1759, Donaldson was associated with Sands Donaldson Murray & Cochran. From 1760 to 1765, he partnered with John Reid at Castlehill. In January 1764, they initiated printing and publishing the Edinburgh Advertiser, although Reid's participation lasted less than a year. Throughout this period, Donaldson managed at least two bookstores while overseeing the publication of the twice-weekly Advertiser, maintaining locations both at the Strand, London and in Edinburgh.
From 1765 until 1772, he operated a shop on Castlehill. Alongside his brother John, he owned a London bookstore specializing in Scottish-printed titles until July 1773; after which John remained at Arundel Street while Alexander relocated to St Paul's Churchyard. In 1774, after ten years at the helm of the Edinburgh Advertiser, Donaldson transferred ownership to his son, James.
Conflict among booksellers
Donaldson became a leading figure as a "supplier of inexpensive reprints" no longer safeguarded by the Statute of Anne, during what came to be known as the "Battle of the booksellers". His stance on copyright provoked ire among London merchants who faced significant financial threats from Scottish-printed editions sold in England. The English literary figure Samuel Johnson condemned him for exploiting legal loopholes to undermine fellow publishers.
Although financially rewarding, Donaldson was embroiled in expensive legal disputes over alleged copyright infringements. These included cases such as Osborne v Donaldson (1765) against Thomas Osborne and Millar v Donaldson (1765). In 1769 he initiated litigation against Reid concerning printing methods. In 1773, London bookseller James Hinton and Edinburgh author Alexander M'Conochie filed suits against Donaldson and associates over copyright breaches. Alexander and his brother acted as appellants in Donaldson v Beckett (1774), opposing prominent London printers and booksellers including Thomas Becket among others. This landmark case resulted in a House of Lords decision addressing the existence of perpetual common law copyright versus statutory limitations.
James Boswell represented Donaldson legally in several proceedings such as Donaldson v Beckett, Donaldson v Reid, and Hinton v Donaldson. Renowned as Samuel Johnson’s biographer, Boswell described Donaldson as "the prodigious Vendor of Literature" and referred to him as the "Great Donaldson". Additionally, Donaldson published multiple works authored by Boswell himself.
Personal life
It is improbable that this Alexander Donaldson is the same individual recorded as a founding member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, who also served as a Professor of Oriental Languages at Edinburgh University. That professor retired in 1789 and acquired Broughton Hall, located near central Edinburgh, which had previously been the home of Archibald Stewart, Lord Provost of Edinburgh. Alexander Donaldson passed away at Broughton Hall in 1794, leaving behind an estate valued at £100,000. His final resting place is in Greyfriars Churchyard.
His son James (1751–1830) took over the Edinburgh enterprise and likewise died at Broughton Hall. After James’s death, he became the patron of Donaldson's Hospital.
Partial works
- – (1758). A catalogue of curious and valuable books, to be disposed of by way of sale... at the shop of Alexander Donaldson, Edinburgh.
- Donaldson, A., Reid, J., & Guyse, J. (1761). The universal Bible: Containing the sacred text at large of the old and new testaments, with parallel scriptures. London: Printed for S. Crowder and J. Coote.
- – (1762). A catalogue of valuable books... to be sold by way of sale at Alexander Donaldson's shop, Edinburgh. This included notable works such as Grv̆ius's The Saurus Ant., Montfaucon's Antiquities, Churchill's voyages, Bayle's dictionary, biographia britannica, Johnson's English dictionary, Chambers's dictionary, among others. These catalogues were freely available at Donaldson’s establishment.
- – (1764). Some thoughts on the state of literary property Humbly submitted to the consideration of the public. London: printed for Alexander Donaldson; available at his shop.
- – (1768). A select collection of poems from the most approved authors, two volumes. Edinburgh: Printed and sold through Donaldson’s shops in both London and Edinburgh.
- – (1778). Books sold cheap: By Alexr Donaldson, at No. 48, St. Paul's Church-Yard, London.