Awnsham Churchill
Awnsham Churchill | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1658 Dorchester, Dorset, England |
| Died | 1728-04-24 |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, politician |
| Years active | 1681–1710 |
| Known for | Publisher of John Locke's works; Whig MP for Dorchester |
Awnsham Churchill (1658–1728), associated with the Black Swan on Paternoster Row, London, and Henbury, Dorset, was an English bookseller and a committed Whig politician who represented constituencies in both the English and British House of Commons between 1705 and 1710.
Early life
Born to William Churchill of Dorchester, Dorset and Elizabeth Awnsham, Churchill was the sibling of MPs Joshua Churchill and William Churchill. After completing an apprenticeship under George Sawbridge, he gained Freeman status within the Stationers' Company in 1681. Together with his brother John, he ran a bookselling and stationery business at the Black Swan in Paternoster Row, London. His early political involvement included signing a petition advocating Parliament’s restoration in 1680 and publishing a sermon against persecution in 1682.
Stationer
During the mid-1680s, the Churchill brothers opposed the reign of James II of England, aligning themselves with sympathizers of Monmouth's Rebellion based in Amsterdam. In 1687, Awnsham was detained for printing Gaspar Fagel’s Letter, which promoted religious tolerance consistent with William of Orange’s policies. Following the Glorious Revolution, Churchill was appointed stationer to William III after 1689. He became a prominent bookseller, amassing considerable wealth that enabled him to purchase the manor of Higher Henbury in 1704 and later acquire West Ringstead in 1723.
Political career
Churchill secured election as a Whig MP for Dorchester during the 1705 English general election, where he supported the Court candidate for Speaker. Although distantly related to fellow MP John Churchill and the Duke of Marlborough, his stronger familial connections were with George Churchill. He was returned unopposed in 1708 but generally maintained a low profile in Parliament while endorsing major Whig initiatives such as naturalizing Palatines (1709) and supporting the impeachment of Sacheverell (1710). These positions estranged Dorchester’s High Church supporters, resulting in his electoral defeats in both 1710 and 1713. He did not pursue parliamentary office thereafter.
Relationship with John Locke
Churchill developed a lasting friendship with John Locke, whom he met in Rotterdam. Serving as Locke’s publisher, Churchill worked alongside intermediary Edward Clarke (of Chipley). Among his notable publications were Locke's Two Treatises of Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration released in 1689, as well as other writings by Locke.
In addition to publishing, Churchill managed Locke’s financial interests. As Locke approached death in 1704, they parted ways at High Laver, with Churchill acting as trustee for funds left to Francis Cudworth Masham, son of Damaris Cudworth Masham.
Death and legacy
Awnsham Churchill passed away unmarried on 24 April 1728; his estate was inherited by his brother John. The two siblings jointly established a library at Henbury.
Publications
In 1695, the Churchill brothers issued Edmund Gibson’s edition of William Camden's Britannia, which was based on a manuscript by John Aubrey. A subsequent edition appeared in 1722 under Awnsham’s sole publication. Their influential Collection of Voyages and Travels, initially published to subscribers in 1704, was expanded by two additional volumes released in 1732, with further editions continuing until 1752. This compilation is often associated with similar collections such as the "Harleian Collection" (1745–47) and John Harris’s volumes (1744–48), playing a significant role in disseminating exploration accounts. Locke contributed an introductory essay on navigation history found in the third edition, later included within his collected works by 1812.
The brothers also produced the first edition of Thomas Rymer's extensive Fœdera (16 volumes, 1701–15). Subsequent volumes were published by William Churchill (17th volume, 1717) and eventually by Jacob Tonson who issued the final three volumes between 1726 and 1735.
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