William Strahan (24 March 1715 – 9 July 1785) was a Scottish printer and publisher, and a politician who sat in the House of Commons between from 1774 to 1784. He was a correspondent and later a good friend of Benjamin Franklin.
Born in Edinburgh as William Strachan, and educated at the Royal High School, Strahan was the son of George Strachan, an Edinburgh solicitor and grandson of John Strachan, professor of divinity at the University of Edinburgh. originally apprenticed to an Edinburgh printer but became a Master Printer in London (at which time he changed the spelling of his name). In 1738 he was made a Freeman of the City of London and a freeman of the Stationers' Company. He married Margaret Penelope Elphinstone, daughter of Edinburgh Episcopal Clergyman William Elphnstone, at St Mary Le Bow on 20 July 1738.[1][2] They had five children, two daughters and three sons, one of whom, Andrew, would succeed him as King's Printer.[3]
Printing to publishingedit
Diversifying from printing to publishing, Strahan built up a successful business, at one time employing 50 men. He was Samuel Johnson's chief publisher, being entrusted with the printing of Johnson's Dictionary, and also published the works of the philosophers David Hume and Adam Smith, and the historian Edward Gibbon. Prominent 18th Century FreemasonWilliam Preston had attended the same school as Strahan in Edinburgh and was employed by Strahan, as an editor, particularly of David Hume's works. From 1770, Strahan was Printer to the King. Strahan was also the printer for the successful London bookseller Andrew Millar, as well as his longtime friend and business partner.[4] Between 1740 and 1765 Strahan moved his London premises four times in the area between St Bride's and the Strand. By 1770 he owned the biggest printing operation in the kingdom, comprising three separate printing businesses in six buildings.
Friendship with Benjamin Franklinedit
For many years, Strahan attended debates in Parliament and wrote reports of the proceedings that were widely circulated; his paragraphs of political news were frequently printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette, and he became a friend of its owner, Benjamin Franklin. His protégé, David Hall, succeeded Franklin at his print shop in Philadelphia when Franklin retired in 1747. At first he sympathised with the grievances of the American colonists, disapproving of the Stamp Act and publishing arguments in favour of a reconciliation in his London Chronicle.
Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, 5 July 1775, severing friendship
However, he later developed a much more hostile attitude, writing to Hume in 1775 "I am entirely for coercive methods with these obstinate madmen." He voted with Parliament, declaring the patriots as "rebels", which prompted Franklin to write him a letter, which he never sent, declaring "You are now my enemy, and i am yours". This hostility also led to Benjamin Franklin ending their friendship, but reconciling after the war.[5]
Strahan and Franklin corresponded about politics and matters involving their printing businesses throughout much of their lives. There are approximately 130 surviving letters between the two men, many of which have been reprinted in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin.[6]
Parliamentary careeredit
In 1774, Strahan purchased a seat as MP for the Wiltshire borough of Malmesbury, sitting as a supporter of Lord North'sTory administration. He represented that constituency until 1780, and then Wootton Bassett from 1780 to 1784, when he stood down because of ill health. He died the following year.[7]
Portrait by Reynoldsedit
The original painting of Strahan by Reynolds is located at the National Portrait Gallery in London where it is part of the permanent collection. The painting was first exhibited in 1783.
^. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
^. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
^Strahan, William (1886). "Correspondence between William Strahan and David Hall, 1763-1777. From the Originals in the Possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania". The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. 10 (1): 86–99. JSTOR 20084746.
^"The manuscripts, Letter from Thomas Becket to William Strahan and William Rose, 25 December, 1759. Andrew Millar Project. University of Edinburgh". www.millar-project.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
^"STRAHAN, William (1715-85), of Little New St., London". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
Sourcesedit
Labaree, Leonard W. (April 1966). "New Franklin Letters". The Yale University Library Gazette. 40 (4). Yale University Library: 188–193. JSTOR 40858095.
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William Strahan 24 March 1715 9 July 1785 was a Scottish printer and publisher and a politician who sat in the House of Commons between from 1774 to 1784 He was a correspondent and later a good friend of Benjamin Franklin William Strahan artist unknown Contents 1 Early life 2 Printing to publishing 3 Friendship with Benjamin Franklin 4 Parliamentary career 5 Portrait by Reynolds 6 See also 7 References 8 Sources 9 External linksEarly life editBorn in Edinburgh as William Strachan and educated at the Royal High School Strahan was the son of George Strachan an Edinburgh solicitor and grandson of John Strachan professor of divinity at the University of Edinburgh originally apprenticed to an Edinburgh printer but became a Master Printer in London at which time he changed the spelling of his name In 1738 he was made a Freeman of the City of London and a freeman of the Stationers Company He married Margaret Penelope Elphinstone daughter of Edinburgh Episcopal Clergyman William Elphnstone at St Mary Le Bow on 20 July 1738 1 2 They had five children two daughters and three sons one of whom Andrew would succeed him as King s Printer 3 Printing to publishing editDiversifying from printing to publishing Strahan built up a successful business at one time employing 50 men He was Samuel Johnson s chief publisher being entrusted with the printing of Johnson s Dictionary and also published the works of the philosophers David Hume and Adam Smith and the historian Edward Gibbon Prominent 18th Century Freemason William Preston had attended the same school as Strahan in Edinburgh and was employed by Strahan as an editor particularly of David Hume s works From 1770 Strahan was Printer to the King Strahan was also the printer for the successful London bookseller Andrew Millar as well as his longtime friend and business partner 4 Between 1740 and 1765 Strahan moved his London premises four times in the area between St Bride s and the Strand By 1770 he owned the biggest printing operation in the kingdom comprising three separate printing businesses in six buildings Friendship with Benjamin Franklin editFor many years Strahan attended debates in Parliament and wrote reports of the proceedings that were widely circulated his paragraphs of political news were frequently printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette and he became a friend of its owner Benjamin Franklin His protege David Hall succeeded Franklin at his print shop in Philadelphia when Franklin retired in 1747 At first he sympathised with the grievances of the American colonists disapproving of the Stamp Act and publishing arguments in favour of a reconciliation in his London Chronicle nbsp Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan 5 July 1775 severing friendship However he later developed a much more hostile attitude writing to Hume in 1775 I am entirely for coercive methods with these obstinate madmen He voted with Parliament declaring the patriots as rebels which prompted Franklin to write him a letter which he never sent declaring You are now my enemy and i am yours This hostility also led to Benjamin Franklin ending their friendship but reconciling after the war 5 Strahan and Franklin corresponded about politics and matters involving their printing businesses throughout much of their lives There are approximately 130 surviving letters between the two men many of which have been reprinted in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin 6 Parliamentary career editIn 1774 Strahan purchased a seat as MP for the Wiltshire borough of Malmesbury sitting as a supporter of Lord North s Tory administration He represented that constituency until 1780 and then Wootton Bassett from 1780 to 1784 when he stood down because of ill health He died the following year 7 Portrait by Reynolds editThe original painting of Strahan by Reynolds is located at the National Portrait Gallery in London where it is part of the permanent collection The painting was first exhibited in 1783 See also editEarly American publishers and printers List of early American publishers and printersReferences edit Margaret Penelope ELPHINSTONE Archived from the original on 15 August 2016 Retrieved 14 August 2016 William STRAHAN King s Printer and MP Archived from the original on 15 August 2016 Retrieved 14 August 2016 Strahan William 1886 Correspondence between William Strahan and David Hall 1763 1777 From the Originals in the Possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 10 1 86 99 JSTOR 20084746 The manuscripts Letter from Thomas Becket to William Strahan and William Rose 25 December 1759 Andrew Millar Project University of Edinburgh www millar project ed ac uk Retrieved 3 June 2016 Van Doren 1938 pp 539 540 Labaree 1966 p 189 STRAHAN William 1715 85 of Little New St London History of Parliament Online Retrieved 27 November 2017 Sources editLabaree Leonard W April 1966 New Franklin Letters The Yale University Library Gazette 40 4 Yale University Library 188 193 JSTOR 40858095 External links editLee Sidney ed 1898 Strahan William Dictionary of National Biography Vol 55 London Smith Elder amp Co unsourced article on Electric Scotland website Letters of David Hume to William Strahan at Online Library of Liberty Correspondence between William Strahan and David Hall 1763 1777 at Historical Society of Pennsylvania The William Strahan Letters dating from 1751 to 1777 are available for research use at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Reynolds portrait of Strahan Robert Beatson A Chronological Register of Both Houses of Parliament London Longman Hurst Res amp Orme 1807 1 Lewis Namier amp John Brooke The History of Parliament The House of Commons 1754 1790 London HMSO 1964 Parliament of Great Britain Preceded byThe Earl of DonegallHon Thomas Howard Member of Parliament for Malmesbury1774 1780 With Hon Charles James Fox Succeeded byViscount LewishamViscount Fairford Preceded byMajor the Hon Henry St JohnRobert Scott Member of Parliament for Wootton Bassett1780 1874 With Major the Hon Henry St John Succeeded byHon George NorthHon Robert Seymour Conway Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Strahan publisher amp oldid 1194347777, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
