Benjamin Pratt 1677/8-1715

Benjamin PRATT 1677/8-1715

Biographical Note

Born near Aldgate, son of Robert Pratt of London, gentleman. BA Merton College, Oxford 1696, MA Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge 1708. Curate of St Botolph, Aldgate ca.1708-15; chaplain to the Duke of Northumberland. A couple of his sermons were published in 1704 and 1706, and Persuasives from the creature, 1695, by "B.P. of M. Coll. Ox" is attributed to him.

Books

In his will, Pratt bequeathed all his books, together with his furniture and organ, to his mother Mary Pratt "to dispose of as she shall think fit", further directing her "to expose my books to no mortal in our parish and to burn all my written sermons and expositions and all letters". He also left small sums for the benefit of charity children in Aldgate "to buy them those most necessary good books which they yet have not". His library was sold by auction in London, beginning 16 May 1717; no catalogue has survived but the sale was advertised in The Daily Courant.

Characteristic Markings

None of Pratt's books have been identified.

Sources

• R. C. Alston, Inventory of sale catalogues 1676-1800. St Philip, 2010.
• J. Venn, Biographical history of Gonville & Caius College. Cambridge, 1897.