William Massey 1691-1768

William MASSEY 1691-1768

Massey's bookplate (British Museum Franks Collection 19933)

Biographical Note

Massey came from a Quaker family and is known to have learnt Latin and other languages in private schools in Nottingham and Norwich. In 1712 he became Latin usher at a school in Wandsworth run by William Scoryer; he later ran his own school in Wandsworth. He published numerous works designed to pursue devotional and educational purposes.

Books

Massey used an engraved armorial bookplate (Franks 19933); the extent of his library is not known. In his will, he bequeathed all his books and manuscripts (together with his wearing apparel) to his son Gilbert. His manuscript commonplace book was sold at Bonham's in 2011 (see reference below).

Sources

• Will of William Massey, The National Archives PROB 11/940/126.
• Cooper, Thompson, and Sarah Annes Brown. "Massey, William (1691–1764?), writer and translator." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.
• William Massey, Liber Memorialis, Bonham's 22 November 2011, lot 245.
• Information from Anthony Pincott.