Robert Cadell
Robert Cadell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Cockenzie, East Lothian, Scotland |
| Died | January 20, 1849 (aged 60) Ratho, Midlothian, Scotland |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, publisher |
| Known for | Association with Sir Walter Scott; publishing the Waverley novels |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Constable (m. 1817; died 1818), Anne Fletcher Mylne (m. 1821) |
| Children | John (1826–1826), Emily (1821–1832), Frances (married Rev Robert Horne Stevenson) |
Robert Cadell (16 December 1788 – 20 January 1849) was a notable bookseller and publisher with a strong association to Sir Walter Scott.
Life
Cadell was born in Cockenzie, East Lothian, Scotland, as the fifth son of John Cadell, a Laird of Cockenzie, and his wife Marie Buchan.
His career commenced as a clerk at Archibald Constable & Co., the publishing house for Scott. In 1809, he secured a stake in the company, advanced to joint partner by 1811 following Mr Hunter's exit, and from 1812 became sole partner alongside Constable. His ties to Constable deepened through his marriage to Constable’s daughter Elizabeth in 1817; she passed away within nine months. In 1821, Cadell remarried Anne Fletcher Mylne, a union that intensified strains with Constable, whose extravagant business methods clashed with Cadell’s more prudent style.
The collapse of Constable’s London agents Hurst Robinson and the receivership of Archibald Constable & Co. in January 1826, amid Scott's financial difficulties, led to the dissolution of their partnership. Scott opted to continue working with Cadell, appreciating his cautious financial oversight.
Together, Scott and Cadell acquired the copyright to Scott’s novels and initiated a new edition of the Waverley novels starting in 1827. This ‘author's edition’ achieved commercial success, significantly enhanced by illustrations from J. M. W. Turner.
During Scott’s final years, Cadell oversaw his affairs and negotiated exclusive rights to republish Scott’s works through agreements with Scott’s family that resolved outstanding debts. After Scott’s death, Cadell purchased Scott’s copyright share for £30,000, gaining full ownership. His financial success enabled him to invest in considerable landholdings and properties such as Ratho House in Midlothian.
Cadell passed away at Ratho on 20 January 1849 and was interred in Greyfriars Kirkyard, located in central Edinburgh. His burial site lies at the head of one of the western rows within the kirkyard’s western extension.
Family
His first marriage was to Elizabeth Constable, daughter of his employer Archibald Constable, who died in 1818. He subsequently wed Anne Fletcher Mylne (1796–1867).
They had two children: a son named John (1826), who died at six weeks old, and a daughter Emily (1821–1832), who also died young. Their daughter Frances married Rev Robert Horne Stevenson.