John Ayres d.ca.1705
From Book Owners Online
John AYRES d.ca.1705
Biographical Note
Little is known of Ayres’s early life. He reportedly worked as a footman for Sir William Ashurst, and was taught writing by Thomas Topham. He became a writing master and author of works on calligraphy and penmanship, teaching handwriting and accounts in St Paul's Churchyard. Samuel Pepys’ Calligraphical Collection contained five of Ayres’ works; Ayres’ presence in this collection is testament to his prominence as calligrapher in the late seventeenth century.
Books
Ayres is listed in Edward Bernard's Catalogi manuscriptorum, 1697 as owning a number of manuscripts.
Sources
- Whalley, Joyce Irene. "Ayres, John (d. 1704x9), writing-master." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.