John Reynolds ca.1630-1691

John REYNOLDS ca.1630-1691

Biographical Note

It seems most likely that this is the nonconformist minister of that name rather than his namesake who was a canon of Exeter (d.1692). If so, he may be the John Reynolds who was born at Winfarthing, Norfolk, the son of Cooper Reynolds, Rector there, and who graduated BA from Caius, Cambridge, 1651, MA 1654. Rector of Roughton, Norfolk, ca.1652, but ejected in 1662, after which he moved to London to work as a minister at Crosby Square, Bishopsgate, with Samuel Slater.

Books

In his will, Reynolds divided the bulk of his estate between his sons, but directed that his wife should have ten of his English books, to be chosen by her for her personal use. Reynolds’s library was auctioned in London by Joseph Shelton, 6 December 1693. The sale catalogue lists 1627 lots, with a strong emphasis on English-language theology, but also including history, politics, literature, travel and a little medicine and science (Latin books comprise 275 lots, English ones 1352).

Characteristic Markings

None of Reynolds’s books have been identified.

Sources

• A catalogue of curious books … being the library of … Mr. John Reynolds, 1693 (ESTC R11904).
• Venn, J. & J. A. Alumni Cantabrigienses. Cambridge, 1922.