George Conyers (d. 1738; fl. 1686–1738)

Identifiers

Occupations

  • Bookseller

Names

  • George Conyers
  • George Coniers
  • George Conniers

George Conyers, bookseller, 1686–1738; at the Golden Ring on Ludgate Hill; in Little Britain over against the Sugar Loaf; in Little Britain next to the Feathers.

"George Conyers of the Parish called St Botolph without Aldersgate aged about 75 years who died the 28th Day of the First month called March 1738, Searchers Report of Age, was buried the 4th of the Second Month called April near Bunhill Fields."—The National Archives, Kew; General Register Office: Society of Friends' Registers, Notes and Certificates of Births, Marriages and Burials; Class: RG 6; Piece: 330

The will of George Conyers of the parish of St. Botolph Without Aldersgate, Citizen and Stationer, was proved 29 Mar 1738. He left his estate to his sister Anne Conyers, whom he named as executrix, and desired that upon her decease she give the "copies" or "parts of copies" of his books to his relation or relations whom she deemed "in need of help."—England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384–1858, Piece 688: Brodrepp, Quire Numbers 45–94 (1738)

"The following BOOKS, formerly sold by Mr. George Conyers, in Little-Britain, (who is lately deceas'd) are now to be had of Aaron Ward, at the King's-Arms in Little-Britain."—Universal Spectator and Weekly Journal, 5 July 1740

—Allison Muri

A Dictionary of the Printers and Booksellers who were at Work in England, Scotland and Ireland from 1668 to 1725, by Henry Plomer (1922)

CONYERS (GEORGE), bookseller in London, (1) Golden Ring, Ludgate Hill; (2) Little Britain, (a) over against the Sugar Loaf, (b) next the Feathers. 1686–1712. This bookseller had a unique stock, hardly to be found in any other shop in London, for he made a speciality of the publication of cheap practical manuals on every conceivable subject. A glance through the Term Catalogues, of which he availed himself largely, shows him as publisher of books on angling, astrology, building, cookery, drawing, dyeing, gardening, gauging, husbandry, japanning and varnishing, medicine, painting, and perfumery. He also published chap-book abridgements of popular romances, roadbooks, almanacks, &c. In 1713 he contributed to the fund for the relief of William Bowyer, sen. [Timperley, p. 600.] Dunton [p. 230] describes Conyers as a "man free from faction, noise, and anger, a diligent man in his shop, a kind neighbour, and a religious master".

Notes & Queries "London Booksellers Series" (1931–2)

CONYERS, G. Was well established at the Ring in Little Britain by the beginning of the century. For a brief account of him, see Dunton's 'Life and Errors.' He figures in Nichols's list for 1712, but nothing is heard of him after that date.

—Frederick T. Wood, 1 August 1931

 

CONYERS, GEORGE. His stock-in-trade was sold by auction 14 Feb., 1739. On the catalogue of the sale he is described as George Conyers deceased.

—Ambrose Heal, 5 September 1931