John Mein (publisher)
John Mein | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, publisher |
| Known for | Established Boston's first circulating library; co-founder of the Boston Chronicle newspaper |
John Mein (born in Edinburgh, Scotland; died in London, England) was a bookseller and publisher based in Boston prior to the American Revolution. He established Boston's inaugural circulating library and, alongside his partner John Fleeming, produced the Loyalist newspaper known as the Boston Chronicle, which was New England's first semi-weekly publication.
Early years
The son of John Mein, he originated from Edinburgh and began his apprenticeship under bookseller John Trail in 1754. By 1760, he had gained status as a Burgess and Guild Brother of Edinburgh. In 1761, Mein advertised children's literature and indicated plans to exit his business by 1764.
Career
In October 1764, Mein relocated to Boston carrying an extensive inventory of books and linens. He initially formed a partnership with Robert Sandeman to market English and Scottish prayer books alongside beer, though this collaboration was short-lived.
Subsequently, Mein launched The London Bookstore and introduced Boston’s first circulating library, featuring a collection of approximately 1,200 titles spanning history, literature, travel, law, and medicine in both English and French. Subscription fees were available annually or quarterly, with borrowers allowed only one book at a time. The library’s notable authors included Addison, Defoe, Hume, Milton, Pope, Rousseau, Swift, Voltaire, and Shakespeare. It also subscribed to major periodicals such as The Spectator and The Rambler.
In December 1767, Mein partnered with fellow Scotsman Fleeming to establish The Boston Chronicle. Their publishing ventures included books and almanacs like Mein and Fleeming's register for New-England and Nova Scotia. This Tory newspaper openly criticized Whig leader William Pitt and opposed colonial boycotts on British imports. Mein published lists accusing merchants of breaching nonimportation agreements; in response, his own name appeared on similar violation lists. Heightened public hostility led to the violent attack on the Chronicle offices in October 1769. During the turmoil, Mein shot a grenadier and subsequently fled Boston aboard a ship bound for Great Britain.
In July 1769, Thomas Longman sought out John Hancock as his agent in Boston to recover debts owed by Mein. While Mein traveled to London in October 1769, Hancock secured power of attorney on Longman’s behalf.
Leaving New England burdened with £2,000 in debt, Mein communicated with Lord Dartmouth regarding Massachusetts affairs after arriving in England but soon spent a year imprisoned at King’s Bench Prison. Upon release, he authored pieces condemning the patriot cause in London newspapers.
Returning to Boston later on, Mein was convicted for unpaid financial obligations but made only limited efforts to restart his bookstore and circulating library before facing imprisonment again. Eventually, he returned once more to England.
Meanwhile, Fleeming continued publishing the Boston Chronicle, which ceased its attacks on patriot figures. In March 1770, Hancock obtained a £2,000 attachment against Mein; however, pledges from Mein’s associates kept the newspaper operational.
By September 1770, unable to meet creditor demands, Mein lost his legal case; appeals were dismissed by November. Hancock proceeded with the liquidation of Mein’s assets but creditors recovered only about half their claims. This legal victory not only silenced one of the Loyalists’ prominent voices but also had significant implications for press freedom.
Personal life
Mein maintained a friendship with Nathaniel Coffin, who was known as both a surveyor and a political figure in Lower Canada, as well as a militia officer in Upper Canada. He was an active member of the Scots Charitable Society of Boston and eventually passed away in London.
Partial works
- 1765, A catalogue of Mein's circulating library, comprising more than twelve hundred volumes spanning literature, arts, and sciences.
- 1767, Proposals for publishing a new weekly newspaper titled the Boston Chronicle. Subscriptions managed by John Mein at the London Book-Store, King-Street.
- 1767, Table listing kings and queens from the conquest of the Heptarchy by Egbert, King of the West-Saxons.
- 1767, Bickerstaff's Boston almanack for 1768: Designed for Boston's meridian; featuring an illustration of giants discovered in South America.
- 1769, A report on importations from Great Britain into Boston between January and August 1769, including advertisements from merchants who pledged to avoid importing British goods.
- 1770, A report detailing importations from Great Britain into Boston starting January 1770, along with records of goods re-exported to Great Britain since 1769.
- 1775, Sagittarius's letters and political reflections taken from the Public Ledger, dedicated to Dr. Samuel Cooper, pastor at Brattle Street.
See also
Further reading
- Charles K. Bolton. "Circulating libraries in Boston, 1765-1865," Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Vol. 11, February 1907.
- Colin Nicolson. "A Plan 'To Banish All the Scotchmen': Victimization and Political Mobilization in Pre-Revolutionary Boston," Massachusetts Historical Review, Vol. 9 (2007), pp. 55–102.
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- American booksellers
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