Matthew Lownes (fl. 1591–1625)
Matthew Lownes, bookseller, 1591–1625; at St. Dunstan’s Churchyard in Fleet Street. Also seems to have been in operation at the sign of the Bishop's Head in St. Paul's Churchyard.
A dictionary of printers and booksellers in England, Scotland and Ireland, and of foreign printers of English books 1557–1640, by R.B. McKerrow (1910)
LOWNES (MATTHEW), bookseller in London, 1591–1625; St. Dunstan’s Churchyard in Fleet Street. Son of Hugh Lownes of Rode in the parish of Astbury, co. Chester, and brother of Humphrey Lownes. Apprentice to Nicholas Ling from Michaelmas, 1582. Took up his freedom on October 11th, 1591 [Arber, ii. 711]. Admitted to the Livery on July 3rd, 1602 [Arber, ii. 874]. The first book entry under his name occurs on April 15th, 1596 [Arber, iii. 63]. In 1597 he married Anne Halwood a native of Chester [London Marriage Licenses, c. 865]. Matthew Lownes died before October 3rd, 1625. He served the office of Senior Warden to the Company in the year 1620–1, when his brother Humphrey was Master, and again from July, 1624, to July, 1625, they filled the same offices. They would appear to have held shares in the same ventures. Matthew Lownes made his will on September 29th, 1625, and it was proved on October 3rd in the same year. He left three sons, Thomas, who succeeded to the business and to whom his copyrights were transferred on April 10th, 1627 [Arber, iv. 176], Robert, who was not a stationer, and Henry who was a grocer. One of his three daughters, Susan, married George Latham, stationer of London. His widow Anne died in the following April. [P.C.C., 117, Clark; 49, Hele.]