John Nidd 1622-1659

John NIDD 1622-1659

Biographical Note

Born in Kent, son of Thomas and Emme Nidd [sic], and nephew of Gervase Nidd, rector of Sundridge. BA Trinity College, Cambridge 1646, fellow 1647, MA 1649; remained in Cambridge, where he died.

Books

Nidd had a library of ca.300 books whose contents are known from the lists appended to his will. He bequeathed 125 books to Trinity, mostly medical, and 148 books of more varied content (including theology, history, classics, literature) to William Lynnet, fellow of Trinity (later vicar of Trumpington, d.1700). He also bequeathed some specific titles to other friends, including a copy of Gerard’s Herbal to John Ray. Some of the books given to Lynnet were subsequently bequeathed by him to Trinity. Examples: Trinity College Q.8.21, S.22.15, S.10.169.

Nidd's inscription, from the flyleaf of Trinity College S.22.35 (R. Columbus, De re anatomica, 1532)

Characteristic Markings

Many of Nidd's books are inscribed with his name, and are annotated by him, sometimes extensively.

Sources

• Gaskell, R. Trinity College Library, the first 150 years, 1980.
• Leedham-Green, E. S. Books in Cambridge inventories. Cambridge, 1986. no.195.
• Preston, C. D., Using John Nidd's annotated books in the Wren Library to reassess his contribution to John Ray's Catalogus (1660), Archives of Natural History 44 (2017), 275-91.
• Venn, J. & J. A. Alumni Cantabrigienses. Cambridge, 1922.