William Foulis, 1674-1737

William FOULIS 1674-1737

Biographical Note

'William Foulis of Woodhall, Advocate'. Probably William Foulis (1674-1737), son of Sir John Foulis of Ravelston and Margaret Primrose, an advocate who lived at Woodhall and married Janet Cuningham.

Books

His books were sold after his death at auction in Edinburgh by Alexander Kincaid, bookseller, from the 14-23 December 1737, in a catalogue comprising several undistinguished consigners (Foulis; a clergyman; and George Wingate). The nature and extent of his library remains unknown.

The catalogue contained 1410 lots, 946 in octavo, 244 in quarto and 220 in folio, with notable themes of theology, history, law, mathematics, and geography and cartography. It also included a number of French and Latin books, and comprised mostly 18th century books with fewer 17th century and very few 16th century books.

Sources

• A catalogue of valuable books, consisting of divinity, law, history, mathematicks, classicks, &c. being the libraries of three gentlemen lately deceast, viz. Mr. William Foulis of Woodhall, advocate; a clergyman in the country; and the late Mr. George Wingate. Which will begin to be sold by auction, on Wednesday the 14th of December 1737, by Alexander Kincaid … (Edinburgh, 1737). [2],51,[1]p. ESTC T163757. NLS: Bc.5.1(3).
• Mosley, Charles (ed.) Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003. Vol. 1, 1480.