John Hatchard
John Hatchard | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1769 England |
| Died | 1849-06-21 Clapham Common, England |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, publisher |
| Years active | c.1790–1845 |
| Known for | Founder of Hatchards bookstore; publisher of Christian Observer |
John Hatchard (1769–1849) was a prominent English bookseller and publisher located in Piccadilly, London. The Hatchards bookstore he established continues to operate today.
Early life
Hatchard's career commenced with a trial period at the printing works of Thomas Bensley and an apprenticeship under John Ginger in College Street, Westminster. Subsequently, he worked with Thomas Payne at Mews Gate before acquiring the bookshop at 173 Piccadilly, previously managed by Richard White.[1] Beginning in 1797, Hatchard served as a distributor for the Cheap Repository Tracts, and within four years, he had developed the most extensive retail book enterprise in London.[2]
In 1801, he relocated his business to Nos. 189–190 Piccadilly (renumbered as 187 in 1820). The original premises at 173 were demolished in 1810 to make way for the construction of the Egyptian Hall.[3]
Bookseller and publisher
Hatchard's entry into publishing began with John Bowdler’s pamphlet Reform or Ruin: Take your Choice (1797). His conservative evangelical views aligned him closely with the Clapham Sect, positioning him as a principal publisher of their literature.[4][5] In contrast to rivals like Rivington's, who opposed Methodist and evangelical authors, Hatchard embraced this niche market and transformed his shop into a notable social gathering place.[6]
Distinguished patrons of Hatchard’s shop included William Wilberforce, Sir Walter Scott, Samuel Rogers, and Hannah More. Contemporary descriptions portrayed his clientele as influential gentlemen deeply invested in supporting established institutions.[7]
He was appointed as bookseller to Queen Charlotte and other members of the royal family. From its foundation in 1802 until his retirement in 1845, Hatchard published the Christian Observer.[8] Additionally, he released publications for the Society for Bettering the Condition of the Poor, an organization connected with Wilberforce and his circle.[9] Hatchard specialized in evangelical fiction, further solidifying his reputation within religious and reformist publishing.[10]
Later life
In 1817, Hatchard faced a £100 fine following a libel suit concerning a fabricated account published in the African Institution's Report. The false claim involved the whipping of a pregnant slave on Antigua and implicated aides of Sir James Leith, Governor of the Leeward Islands. James Scarlett acted as his defense counsel.
Hatchard passed away at Clapham Common on 21 June 1849 at age 80. A commemorative memorial dedicated to him is situated in St Paul's Church, Clapham.
Family
In 1790, Hatchard married Elizabeth Lambert; together they had two sons and three daughters.
Their eldest son, John Hatchard, became vicar of St. Andrew's in Plymouth. The younger son, Thomas, took over leadership of Hatchard & Son, booksellers and publishers located at 187 Piccadilly. Their daughter Charlotte wed printer George Josiah Palmer and was mother to George Josiah Palmer of the Church Times. Another daughter, Sophia, married J. R. P. Bright; their daughter Frances died unmarried at nineteen in 1831.
Notes
Attribution
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedDNB - ↑ Feather, A History of British Publishing
- ↑ Survey of London
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedODNB - ↑ Encyclopedia of Romantic Literature
- ↑ Howsam, Cheap Bibles
- ↑ Sydney, Edinburgh Review
- ↑ DNB
- ↑ DNB
- ↑ Garside & O'Brien, English and British Fiction