John Nourse

John Nourse (Baptised 8 July 1705, in Oxford – 24 April 1780, in London) was an English bookseller noted for his publication of scientific books.[1]^:755 He had dealings with a number of notable people including Benjamin Franklin.[2]

John Nourse
Born	8 July 1705 Oxford
Died	24 April 1780 (aged 74) London

Education

He was the son of a surgeon and was educated at John Roysse's Free School, in Abingdon (now Abingdon School). He later became a Steward of the OA Club in 1747.[3]

Career

Nourse became apprenticed to William Mears as a bookseller. His brother, the surgeon Charles Nourse took over the business when he died.[4] His premises were at the Old King's Arms opposite Catherine Street on the Strand, London.

He was licensed to publish the first Nautical Almanac and Astronomical Ephemeris, dated 1766, but actually appearing in 1767, as evinced by correspondence between Nevil Maskelyne and Nourse.[5]

He died in Kensington and was buried at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford on 2 May 1780. His will is in The National Archives, Kew.[6]

See also

• List of Old Abingdonians

References

1. Timperley, Charles Henry (1839). A Dictionary of Printers and Printing. London: H. Johnson. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
2. "From Benjamin Franklin to John Nourse, 13 January 1758". Founders Online. National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
3. "Object 13: Stewards of the OA Club". Abingdon School. Archived from the original on 2018-10-04. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
4. "John Nourse (1705-1780)". data.bnf.fr. Bibliothèque nationale de France. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
5. Dunn, Richard. "When is a book really published?". Board of Longitude Project. Royal Museums Greenwich. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
6. "Will of John Nourse, Bookseller of Saint Mary in the Strand , Middlesex". Discovery: The National Archives. The National Archives. Retrieved 17 July 2016.