William Mears (1686 – c.1740) was an eighteenth century

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

publisher and entrepreneur noted for his publication of scientific books. Mears was involved with a broad range of scientists, both as a publisher and as a provider of books. In 1719 he advertised in the '' Post Man'' for subscribers to Richard Bradley's ''A philosophical account of the works of nature'' for a total cost of 30 shillings, half to be paid for at the time of subscription, the other half to be paid for on delivery. he promised the book would be available in autumn 1720. Subscribers would have their names recorded for posterity in a list included in the book, and those ordering six copies would get a seventh free. True to his word, in September 1720, he announced that the book was almost ready, offering a last chance for subscription as he would not print more than what was required to meet these advance orders. The book was made available in December 1720.

Isaac Newton Sir Isaac Newton (25 December 1642 – 20 March 1726/27) was an English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author (described in his time as a " natural philosopher"), widely recognised as one of the grea ...

and

Hans Sloane Sir Hans Sloane, 1st Baronet (16 April 1660 – 11 January 1753), was an Irish physician, naturalist, and collector, with a collection of 71,000 items which he bequeathed to the British nation, thus providing the foundation of the British Mu ...

were amongst the subscribers.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mears, William 1686 births 1740s deaths English publishers (people)