Thomas Britton 1654-1714

Thomas BRITTON 1654-1714

Biographical Note

Born at Rusheden near Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire. Moved to London and became apprenticed to a coal merchant in Clerkenwell, later establishing his own business nearby in Aylesbury Street, Clerkenwell. He was well-known as the promoter and host of a weekly concert series that took place at his house, and was also noted as a book collector. He was well-connected, largely as a result of his knowledge of books: he was acquainted with Samuel Pepys, Roger L'Estrange and Robert Harley.

Books

Books sold in two auction sales, 1.11.1694 (1500 lots), 24.1.1715 (1108 lots). Samuel Pepys acquired some of Britton's books from the 1694 sale and they remain in the Pepys Library, Magdalene College Cambridge.

Characteristic Markings

Some extant examples bear the inscription "Tho: Britton his book" on the title page.

Sources

• Alston, R. C. Inventory of sale catalogues 1676-1800. St Philip, 2010.
• Campbell, W. A. The chemical library of Thomas Britton, Ambix 24 (1977), 143-8.
• Reid, Douglas A. "Britton, Thomas (1644–1714), concert promoter, book collector, and coal merchant." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Thomas Britton's Book Auction (Magdalene College Libraries' Blog)