Gerbrand Harkes

Gerbrand Harkes
Born	c. 1510 Low Countries
Occupation(s)	Bookseller, dealer in manuscripts
Years active	1538–1593
Known for	Early Protestant bookseller in England; supplier to Magdalen College and official University stationer at Oxford

Gerbrand Harkes (also known under variations such as Garbrand Herks, Harks, Harcks, among others) (active 1538–1593) was a Dutch Protestant bookseller and dealer in manuscripts who made his home in England.

Life

Harkes was born circa 1510 in the Low Countries and became an early adherent of Calvinism. In 1538, he escaped to Protestant England, where he launched a bookselling enterprise at Bulkeley Hall, a site later incorporated into Oriel College, Oxford. During the early years of Edward VI's reign, he procured collections from dissolved monasteries, many of which were integrated into the Bodleian Library. By 1551, he had become a regular supplier of books to Magdalen College. In addition to his bookselling activities, Harkes acted as the official University stationer and held a license to retail wine starting in 1546.

Amid the Marian Persecutions of 1556, his residence functioned covertly as a meeting venue for Protestants.

Harkes remained active until at least 1593, owning several shops and real estate. His last will was drafted in August 1592 and legally validated in May 1596.

Family

The bookselling profession was carried on by Harkes's sons well into the late sixteenth century:

• Richard Garbrand began his career as an Oxford bookseller in 1573 and continued until at least 1590.
• Thomas (born 1539) served as a fellow of Magdalen College and held the position of senior proctor.
• John Garbrand (born 1541/2) pursued a clerical path and acted as literary executor for John Jewel.
• William (born 1549), also a fellow at Magdalen, experienced suspension due to insubordination.

The third generation included:

• Ambrose (born 1584), a citizen of Oxford who by 1616 had become chief officer of the London Stationers' Company.
• John (born 1585), educated at Winchester College and New College, Oxford, worked in bookselling until around 1618; following his death, his widow married Christopher Rogers, principal of New Inn Hall.
• Tobias Garbrand (1579–1638), eldest son of Richard, was a fellow and Vice-President at Magdalen before becoming vicar of Findon in Sussex.
• Nicholas Garbrand (born 1600), also educated at Magdalen, held various clerical offices including vicarages at Washington and Patching in Sussex.
• Susanna Garbrand became the wife of Rev. Thomas Hooker, founder of Connecticut.

The family surname continued in forms such as Garbrand or Herks through the late seventeenth century.

References

Attribution