John Boydell
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John Boydell (1719 - December, 1804) was an English publisher, noted for his reproductions of engravings. He also became Lord Mayor of London.
Boydell was born at Dorrington, and at the age of twenty-one came to London and was apprenticed for seven years to an engraver. In 1746 he published a volume of views in England and Wales, and started in business as a print-seller. He managed to secure the services of the best artists, and his engravings were executed with such skill that his business became extensive and lucrative. He succeeded in his plan of a Shakespeare Gallery, and obtained the assistance of the most eminent painters and engravers of the day (artists included Richard Westall, Thomas Stothard and John Opie, engravers Francesco Bartolozzi and Thomas Kirk), whose contributions were exhibited publicly for many years.
The engravings from these paintings form a splendid companion volume to his large illustrated edition of Shakespeare's works. Towards the close of his life Boydell sustained severe losses through the French Revolution, and was compelled to dispose of his Shakespeare gallery by lottery.
Boydell had previously become an alderman, and rose to be Lord Mayor of London in 1790.
This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
