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.