Newbery, John (1713-67), publisher and bookseller
‘Delectando monemus — instruction with delight’ –
The motto on the first of Newbery’s books for children.
"None other than the philanthropic publisher in St Paul's Churchyard, who has written so many little books for children. He called himself their friend, but he was the friend of all mankind. He was no sooner alighted than he was in haste to be gone, for he was ever on business of the utmost importance."
Oliver Goldsmith's sketch of a character based on Newbery from The Vicar of Wakefield (1766)
He was born in Waltham St Lawrence, the son of a farmer. In 1730 William Carnan, printer of the Reading Mercury, employed him in Reading. Carnan died in 1737 and Newbery inherited part of his estate, and in 1739 he married Mary, Carnan’s widow, who was six years his senior. In 1740 he began publishing books and in the next few years, at the Bible and Crown, Market Place, Reading, he established a local circulating library, a wholesale drapery, and started widening the circulation of the Reading Mercury through a network of agents. In 1743 Newbery opened a shop in London. In 1744 he published A Little Pretty Pocket Book, the first of his many children’s books, probably like some of the others written by Newbery himself.
Children’s books were not unknown at the time, but Newbery was the first publisher to specialize in them and to take care over their illustrations and production, and to employ good writers such as Oliver Goldsmith. His other publications included the first children’s encyclopedia in 1745 and the first magazine for children in 1751, and famously The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes (1766). Newbery was well known in literary circles and published several adult bestsellers including works by Dr Johnson, and also supported the poet Christopher Smart, who married his stepdaughter. To commemorate his vital contribution to children’s literature, the American Library Association annually awards the prestigious Newbery medal to the most distinguished new American children's book.
Link to the Dictionary of National Biography (only from a Library terminal).
John Newbery
Other External Links to more information:
John Newbury and the Newbury Medal
The Renowned History Of Little Goody Two-Shoes: Online Etext
|
