Henry Perkins (brewer)
Henry Perkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | circa 1777 |
| Died | April 15, 1855 (aged 78) Dover, England |
| Occupation(s) | Brewer, book collector |
| Known for | Prominent English brewer; esteemed collector of books |
Henry Perkins (circa 1777–1855) was a prominent English brewer and an esteemed collector of books.
Early life
Henry Perkins was the son of John Perkins (who passed away in 1812), a partner at the Anchor Brewery in Southwark, associated with the Quaker Barclay family. Alongside his brother Frederick Perkins (1780–1860), he received education under the guidance of Samuel Parr, with financial support from Hester Thrale. Henry acquired a 12.5% stake in Barclay, Perkins, & Co., a successful brewing enterprise, although he played a limited role in its day-to-day management.
In 1825, he became a fellow of the Linnean Society and was also affiliated with the Geological Society and the Horticultural Society of London.
Family
In 1803, Perkins married Susannah Latham. Together, they had one son and three daughters:
- Matilda first wed her cousin (Frederick) Oswald Perkins, son of Frederick Perkins, and later married Edward Richard Bagot, son of Richard Bagot.
- Sophia entered into marriage with Thomas Paley in 1833.
- Selina (died 1858) married John Scriven (1808–1878) in 1837.
Their only son Algernon married Sophia Clementina Soltau in 1835 but had no descendants. His testament provided for his wife, his two surviving sisters, and nephews Raymond South Paley and John Bagot Scriven.
History
Perkins' passion for collecting books was sparked by the 1812/13 auction of the 3rd Duke of Roxburghe's library. He commenced assembling his own collection in 1823 at Springfield near Tooting, Surrey. The library officially began in 1824 with acquisitions from the Mark Masterman Sykes collection and grew further following the 1827 sale of John Dent’s library. To acquire rare volumes, Perkins employed London booksellers John and Arthur Arch, completing significant purchases by 1830.
Meanwhile, his brother Frederick initiated a Shakespearean collection around 1825; this collection was later sold through Sotheby's in 1889.
Catalogue
The entire Perkins library was sold over four days in June 1873 by Gadsden, Ellis, & Co. at Hanworth. The sale comprised 865 lots and generated £26,000—a record sum for a library of comparable size. Notable items included:
Books
- The Mazarin Bible, consisting of two vellum volumes, originally bought for £504 and sold for £3,400; additionally, a paper copy purchased at £195 fetched £2,690
- Biblia Sacra Latina, two vellum volumes from 1462 representing the first dated Latin Bible edition; acquired for £173 5s., sold for £780
- Miles Coverdale's Bible (1535), an imperfect but unique copy; bought for £89 5s., sold for £400
Manuscripts
- John Lydgate’s Sege of Troy on vellum; purchased for £99 15s., sold for £1,370
- A fifteenth-century manuscript Les Œuvres Diverses de Jean de Meun, comprising 200 leaves; sold for £690
- Les Cent Histoires de Troye by Christine de Pisan on vellum with 115 miniatures commissioned by Philip the Bold; sold for £650
House and estate
The Hanworth Park estate underwent gradual subdivision starting in 1873 under Paine & Brettell solicitors. Hanworth Park House, constructed around 1820, was sold in 1874 to Alfred Lafone. The lodges designed by Thomas Cundy the elder were demolished. Enhancements to the house included the addition of a west wing and clocktower in 1857.
Later life and death
Perkins moved to Hanworth Park, Middlesex circa 1836. He passed away in Dover on 15 April 1855. His prized collection of books was bequeathed to his son, Algernon Perkins, who died in 1870.
External links
- Attribution