Edward Rowe Mores 1730-1778

Edward Rowe MORES 1730-1778

Biographical Note

Born at Tunstall, Kent, son of Edward Mores, rector. BA Queen's College, Oxford 1750, MA 1753. While at Oxford he studied in the Queen's archives, made engravings of architectural features of Oxford and published various works. He was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1752. After travelling abroad he spent some time at the College of Arms before moving to Low Leyton, Essex where he had inherited property. He developed various antiquarian interests and helped Andrew Ducarel write his history of Croydon; he became particularly interested in the history of English printing and his Dissertation upon English typographical founders and foundaries (1778) is an important milestone in the study of English printing history, despite some shortcomings and eccentricities. He built up an extensive collection of types and matrices.

Books

Mores's library was auctioned in London, beginning 2 August 1779; the sale catalogue, which runs to over 3000 lots, refers also to copper plates, philosophical instruments, sundry antiquities and "other curiosities". His collection of type and type-founding equipment was sold at a separate auction later in 1779.

Characteristic Markings

Mores used three engraved armorial bookplates (Franks 21047-9).

Sources

• Alston, R. C., Inventory of sale catalogues ... 1676-1800, St Philip, 2010.
• Bibliotheca Moresiana, [London, 1779].
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.
• Makala, Jeffrey. "Mores, Edward Rowe (1730–1778), antiquary and historian of printing." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Information from Emma Poole, King's College London