John Laughton d.1712

John LAUGHTON d.1712

Biographical Note

Son of John Laughton of Eastfield, Yorkshire. BA Trinity College, Cambridge 1669, MA 1672, college chaplain. Cambridge University Librarian, 1686-1712; prebendary of Lichfield 1696.

Books

Laughton “left behind him a good collection not only of books but also of coyns &c”, according to Thomas Hearne. He gave ca.2000 books to Trinity College, Cambridge during his lifetime; most of his library was dispersed at his death. The English part was sold by auction in Sheffield, 9.12.1713; no catalogue survives, but the sale was advertised in the Daily Courant.

The printed label added to books given to Trinity College by Laughton (Trinity I.4.13, J. Milner, De nethinim, Cambridge, 1690)

Characteristic Markings

The books given to Trinity College generally had a printed book label added, to mark the gift. Laughton's books are not usually inscribed by him; many of the ones in Trinity are in straightforward blind-stamped Cambridge calfskin bindings of the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Sources

• Alston, R. C. Inventory of sale catalogues 1676-1800. St Philip, 2010.
• McKitterick, D. The making of the Wren Library, 1995, 59-60.
• Oates, J. C. T. Cambridge University Library: a history. Cambridge, 1986.
• Venn, J. and J. A., Alumni Cantabrigienses, Cambridge, 1922.