William Pelham (bookseller)
William Pelham | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1759 Williamsburg, Virginia |
| Died | 1827 New Harmony, Indiana |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, publisher |
| Years active | Late 1700s–early 1800s |
| Known for | Bookselling and publishing in Boston; managing a circulating library; authoring early American chess book and English pronunciation guide |
William Pelham (1759–1827) was a prominent bookseller and publisher based in Boston, Massachusetts, active from the late 1700s through the early 1800s. Between 1796 and 1810, he managed a retail bookstore and a subscription-based circulating library located at no.59 Cornhill.
Biography
William Pelham was born in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1759 to Peter Pelham, Jr. and Ann Creese, and was the grandson of the Boston artist Peter Pelham. By the 1790s, he had become a recognized figure in Boston’s book industry. In 1796, he promoted new publications and high-quality proofs of John Singleton Copley’s engraving titled The Death of Chatham.
His circulating library, which was cataloged in 1801, featured a collection of several hundred volumes encompassing novels, periodicals, essays, and travel literature. Among the offerings were titles such as Adela Northington, Female Jockey Club, Management of the Tongue, Mirabeau's Gallery of Portraits, and Mavor's Collection of Voyages and Travels.
In 1804, management of the library passed to his nephew William Blagrove, who moved it to School Street and oversaw its operations until 1811. That same year, Pelham published The Elements of Chess, one of the earliest chess books produced in the United States and notably the first printed in Boston. The editor is believed to have been Blagrove, known for his enthusiasm for chess.
In 1808, Pelham authored and issued A System of Notation, a guide aimed at improving English pronunciation by clarifying vowel and consonant sounds, particularly for non-native speakers. This work presented texts with specialized accent marks alongside standard versions for easy comparison.
Pelham inherited his Cornhill property from his aunt Sarah Creese; however, in 1813, the estate was reclaimed through legal action by the wardens of King's Chapel.
Following 1810, Pelham relocated to Zanesville, Ohio and eventually passed away in New Harmony, Indiana in 1827.
Works by Pelham
- The Elements of Chess, presenting both theoretical concepts and practical play including annotated games by Philidor. Boston: Wm. Pelham, 1805.
- Communication addressing impressment issues concerning American and foreign sailors related to the Monroe-Pinkney treaty of 1806, which was rejected by Jefferson. Boston: Wm. Pelham, 1808.
- A system of notation, representing English sounds through novel accent marks on alphabetical characters. Boston: W. Pelham, 1808.
- Catalogue listing juvenile literature and literary toys available from William Pelham’s shop in Boston, 1810.
Works about Pelham
- Charles K. Bolton, Circulating libraries in Boston, 1765-1865, Colonial Society of Massachusetts Publications, Volume 11, 1907.
External links
- WorldCat: W. Pelham
- Working Men's Institute: Pelham Collection
- Gallant Pelham Articles