Thomas Astley
Thomas Astley | |
|---|---|
| Born | London |
| Died | 1759 |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, publisher |
| Years active | c. 1726–1759 |
| Known for | Publishing Voyages and Travels |
Thomas Astley (d. 1759) was a bookseller and publisher active in 18th-century London, initially based in Saint Paul's Churchyard around 1726 to 1742, before relocating to Paternoster Row circa 1745. As a participant in the Company of Stationers, Astley engaged in the intellectual discourse of his time through his publishing efforts.
He is chiefly recognized for issuing the notable Voyages and Travels, an extensive compilation detailing various locations across Africa and Asia. This volume gathered works from distinguished travel writers including John Atkins, Jean Barbot, Willem Bosman, Theodor de Bry, Francis Moore, Jean-Baptiste Labat, among others, complemented by engravings crafted by G. Child and Nathaniel Parr. Astley sought to improve upon previous travel anthologies by Samuel Purchas, John Harris, and Awnsham & John Churchill.
The Voyages collection attracted considerable attention from readers frequenting leading circulating libraries and scholarly institutions such as Hookham's Circulating Library, Boosey's circulating library, the London Institution, Royal Institution, Salem Athenaeum, and the Cape Town public library. Its impact extended internationally through translations into German and French.
Titles issued by Astley
- London Magazine
- Dictionarium Rusticum, Urbanicum & Botanicum: a reference work covering husbandry, gardening, commerce, trade, and rural matters (1726)
- A Compendium; or, introduction to practical music authored by Christopher Simpson (1732)
- The Choice: a Collection of the Newest and Most Celebrated English and Scotch Songs (1733)
- New Roman History, by Question and Answer by John Lockman (1737)
- Life and Entertaining Adventures of Mr. Cleveland, natural son of Oliver Cromwell (1741)
- Memoirs of Cap. George Carleton, an English Officer penned by Daniel Defoe (1743)
- London and Country Brewer (1744)
- A New General Collection of Voyages and Travels, edited by John Green (1745–1747), encompassing significant journeys across Europe, Asia, Africa, and America
- This series includes comprehensive narratives of Portuguese and English expeditions to the East Indies and Africa alongside descriptions of China, Korea, Tartary, Tibet, and additional territories
- A facsimile edition was released by Frank Cass & Company in 1968
- New History of England, by Question and Answer by Rapin de Thoyras (1752)
- Bayle's Historical and Critical Dictionary
- History of the Affairs of Europe authored by W. Gibson
- Historico Geographical Description of Russia
- Life of Peter the Great, Czar of Muscovy written by John Motley
- World in Miniature; or, Entertaining Traveller
- Universal Pocket Companion
- Novels authored by W.R. Chetwood
- Universal Spectator by Henry Stonecastle
- Natural Method of Teaching by Samuel Hoadly
Further reading
External links
- Digital Public Library of America. Digitized images from Astley's Voyages