Richard Gilbert (1794–1852) was an English printer and compiler of reference works.

Life

He was born in St. John's Square,

Clerkenwell Clerkenwell () is an area of central London, England. Clerkenwell was an ancient parish from the mediaeval period onwards, and now forms the south-western part of the London Borough of Islington. The well after which it was named was redisco ...

, London, the son Robert Gilbert, died 10 January 1815 aged 51, was a printer and partner in the firm of Law & Gilbert of St. John's Square. He started life as an accountant of the

Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK) is a UK-based Christian charity. Founded in 1698 by Thomas Bray, it has worked for over 300 years to increase awareness of the Christian faith in the UK and across the world. The SPCK is th ...

in Bartlett's Buildings. On the death of his father, he joined his brother Robert, who died in 1818, as a printer at St. John's Square. Gilbert's business expanded as a result of his marriage in 1823. On the death of his brother-in-law George Byrom Whittaker, on 13 December 1847, the family acquired a fortune, and his only son, Robert Gilbert, succeeded to his uncle's share in the business as a wholesale bookseller and publisher. In 1830 Gilbert, who had since his brother's death carried on the printing business alone, took into partnership William Rivington, youngest son of Charles Rivington III, the bookseller of Waterloo Place, and as Gilbert & Rivington continued the establishment until his death. Attached to the

Church of England The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Britain ...

, Gilbert was involved in the building of St Philip's and St Mark's churches in the Clerkenwell area. In 1841 he was elected one of the stockkeepers of the

Company of Stationers The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers (until 1937 the Worshipful Company of Stationers), usually known as the Stationers' Company, is one of the livery companies of the City of London. The Stationers' Company was formed in ...

; he was for many years one of the general committee of the

Royal Literary Fund The Royal Literary Fund (RLF) is a benevolent fund that gives assistance to published British writers in financial difficulties. Founded in 1790, and granted a royal charter in 1818, the Fund has helped an extensive roll of authors through its long ...

; and he was a governor of

Christ's Hospital Christ's Hospital is a public school (English independent boarding school for pupils aged 11–18) with a royal charter located to the south of Horsham in West Sussex. The school was founded in 1552 and received its first royal charter in 1553 ...

and

St Bartholomew's Hospital St Bartholomew's Hospital, commonly known as Barts, is a teaching hospital located in the City of London. It was founded in 1123 and is currently run by Barts Health NHS Trust. History Early history Barts was founded in 1123 by Rahere (died ...

. He died at 70

Euston Square Euston Square is a large square in the London Borough of Camden in Central London. It lies on Euston Road, and Euston railway station and Euston bus station are on its northernmost side. Although “Euston Square” strictly refers to the squ ...

, London, 26 February 1852, aged 58, and was buried in the vaults of St. John's Church, Clerkenwell, on 4 March.

Works

Gilbert wrote and published in 1829 the ''Liber Scholasticus'';''Liber Scholasticus: an Account of Fellowships, Scholarships, and Exhibitions at Oxford and Cambridge, and of Colleges and Schools having University advantages attached to them or in their patronage''. a second edition was ''The Parent's School and College Guide'' (1843). He compiled and edited the ''

Clerical Guide or Ecclesiastical Directory The ''Clerical Guide or Ecclesiastical Directory'' was the earliest ever specialist directory to cover the clergy of the Church of England. In its initial format it appeared just four times – in 1817, 1822, 1829 and 1836, under the editorial dir ...

'' from 1817. He also planned and edited ''The Clergyman's Almanack'', 1818, and ''Gilbert's Clergyman's Almanack and Churchman's Miscellany'', 1835, both published by the Company of Stationers.

Family

Gilbert married, on 11 September 1823, Anne, only daughter of the Rev. George Whittaker of

Northfleet Northfleet is a town in the borough of Gravesham in Kent, England. It is located immediately west of Gravesend, and on the border with the Borough of Dartford. Northfleet has its own railway station on the North Kent Line, just east of Ebbsfl ...

, and sister of George Byrom Whittaker, bookseller and publisher.

Notes

;Attribution {{DEFAULTSORT:Gilbert, Richard 1794 births 1852 deaths English printers Publishers (people) from London English book editors People from Clerkenwell 19th-century English businesspeople