Alexander Donaldson (bookseller)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Donaldson was a Scottish
bookseller, publisher, and printer. Donaldson was the founding publisher of the weekly newspaper, the Edinburgh Advertiser
. He was also known for selling cheap copies of books after their copyright had expired in disregard to London booksellers' opinions on literary property.
. His mother was Elizabeth Weir (died 1768). He had an older brother, John. His paternal grandfather was Capt. James Donaldson, publisher of the Gazette
. Donaldson inherited approximately £
10,000 from his father.
In 1748, he opened a bookselling shop in Edinburgh. Two years later, on 29 August 1750, he was made a Burgess and Guild Brother of Edinburgh by right of his father in lieu of an apprenticeship. He married a merchant's daughter, Anna Marshall, on 10 January 1751 and may have received a substantial dowry.
's Essays on the Principles of Morality and Natural Religion. In 1752, Kincaid & Donaldson was the sole publisher David Hume
's Political Discourses.
After Donaldson left Kincaid, his involvement with the Scottish Enlightenment
's new books was essentially over, with the exception of his involvement with James Boswell
. Kincaid went on to become Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
Donaldson joined the printing firm of Sands Donaldson Murray & Cochran in 1755-1759. He worked with John Reid at Castlehill from 1760 until 1765. In 1764, they began printing and publishing the Edinburgh Advertiser
, though Reid remained with the newspaper for less than a year. Donaldson maintained at least two book shops while publishing the twice-weekly Advertiser, one being at the Strand, London
, and the other in Edinburgh.
From 1765 until 1772, he had a shop at Castlehill. Donaldson and his older brother John also owned a bookstore in London, selling books that were printed in Scotland until July 1773 at which time John remained at the Arundel Street shop, and Alexander moved to St Paul's Churchyard
. In 1774, after ten years printing and publishing the Edinburgh Advertiser, Donaldson turned it over to his 22 year old son, James
.
in a time known as the "Battle of the booksellers". His attitude towards copyright was not embraced by London merchants who stood to lose large sums of money over books printed in Edinburgh and sold in London. The English poet Samuel Johnson
disliked Donaldson, and criticized him, saying, "[Donaldson] is a fellow who takes advantage of the law to injure his brethren..."
While he made a fortune in his reprint business, he and others also bore the expense of legal actions in this regard. These included Osborne v Donaldson (1765) and Millar v Donaldson (1765); in 1769, Donaldson sued Reid over printing-house practices. In 1773, London bookseller James Hinton and Edinburgh writer Alexander M'Conochie sued Donaldson and John Wood in Edinburgh, and John Meurose in Kilmarnock
over copyright infringement of several titles. Donaldson and his brother John were appellants in Donaldson v Beckett (1774), against the printers and booksellers Thomas Becket (or Beckett) (previously apprenticed to British publisher Andrew Millar
),
Peter Abraham de Hondt, John Rivington, William Johnson, William Strahan, Thomas Longman, William Richardson, John Richardson, Thomas Lowndes, Thomas Caslon, George Kearsley, Henry Baldwin, William Owen, Thomas Davies, and Thomas Cadell. The case resulted in a ruling by the British House of Lords
on the issue of perpetual common law copyright
and copyright
as a statute that could have a limited duration.
James Boswell
was Donaldson's advocate in at least three of these lawsuits, Donaldson v Beckett, Donaldson v Reid and Hinton v Donaldson. Boswell, best known as Samuel Johnson's biographer, referred to Donaldson as "the prodigious Vendor of Literature", and the "Great Donaldson". Donaldson published several of Boswell's works.
. He retired in 1789 and bought Broughton Hall, located a mile to the northeast of central Edinburgh, which had been the residence of Archibald Stewart, Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1745). He died at Broughton Hall in 1794, leaving an estate valued at £
100,000.. He is buried in Greyfriars Churchyard
.
His surviving son, James (1751–1830), inherited the Edinburgh business. He, too, died at Broughton Hall, in 1830. James was the benefactor of Donaldson's Hospital
after his death.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
bookseller, publisher, and printer. Donaldson was the founding publisher of the weekly newspaper, the Edinburgh Advertiser
Edinburgh Advertiser
The Edinburgh Advertiser was a twice-weekly newspaper published in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Tuesday and Friday mornings for almost a century. At the time of its inception, it was the only newspaper published on these days of the week in Edinburgh. It ran from 3 January 1764 until 29 March 1859 when...
. He was also known for selling cheap copies of books after their copyright had expired in disregard to London booksellers' opinions on literary property.
Early years
Donaldson was the son of James Donaldson (died 1754), a textile manufacturer and Treasurer of EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. His mother was Elizabeth Weir (died 1768). He had an older brother, John. His paternal grandfather was Capt. James Donaldson, publisher of the Gazette
Gazette
A gazette is a public journal, a newspaper of record, or simply a newspaper.In English- and French-speaking countries, newspaper publishers have applied the name Gazette since the 17th century; today, numerous weekly and daily newspapers bear the name The Gazette.Gazette is a loanword from the...
. Donaldson inherited approximately £
Pound sign
The pound sign is the symbol for the pound sterling—the currency of the United Kingdom . The same symbol is used for similarly named currencies in some other countries and territories, such as the Irish pound, Gibraltar pound, Australian pound and the Italian lira...
10,000 from his father.
In 1748, he opened a bookselling shop in Edinburgh. Two years later, on 29 August 1750, he was made a Burgess and Guild Brother of Edinburgh by right of his father in lieu of an apprenticeship. He married a merchant's daughter, Anna Marshall, on 10 January 1751 and may have received a substantial dowry.
Career
Having the financial wherewithal, Donaldson become a junior partner of Alexander Kincaid from 1751-58. In its first year, Kincaid & Donaldson published Dr. Francis Home's Essay on the Contents and Virtues of Dunse-Spaw and Henry HomeHenry Home, Lord Kames
Henry Home, Lord Kames was a Scottish advocate, judge, philosopher, writer and agricultural improver. A central figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, a founder member of the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh, and active in the Select Society, his protégés included James Boswell, David Hume and...
's Essays on the Principles of Morality and Natural Religion. In 1752, Kincaid & Donaldson was the sole publisher David Hume
David Hume
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment...
's Political Discourses.
After Donaldson left Kincaid, his involvement with the Scottish Enlightenment
Scottish Enlightenment
The Scottish Enlightenment was the period in 18th century Scotland characterised by an outpouring of intellectual and scientific accomplishments. By 1750, Scots were among the most literate citizens of Europe, with an estimated 75% level of literacy...
's new books was essentially over, with the exception of his involvement with James Boswell
James Boswell
James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck was a lawyer, diarist, and author born in Edinburgh, Scotland; he is best known for the biography he wrote of one of his contemporaries, the English literary figure Samuel Johnson....
. Kincaid went on to become Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
Donaldson joined the printing firm of Sands Donaldson Murray & Cochran in 1755-1759. He worked with John Reid at Castlehill from 1760 until 1765. In 1764, they began printing and publishing the Edinburgh Advertiser
Edinburgh Advertiser
The Edinburgh Advertiser was a twice-weekly newspaper published in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Tuesday and Friday mornings for almost a century. At the time of its inception, it was the only newspaper published on these days of the week in Edinburgh. It ran from 3 January 1764 until 29 March 1859 when...
, though Reid remained with the newspaper for less than a year. Donaldson maintained at least two book shops while publishing the twice-weekly Advertiser, one being at the Strand, London
Strand, London
Strand is a street in the City of Westminster, London, England. The street is just over three-quarters of a mile long. It currently starts at Trafalgar Square and runs east to join Fleet Street at Temple Bar, which marks the boundary of the City of London at this point, though its historical length...
, and the other in Edinburgh.
From 1765 until 1772, he had a shop at Castlehill. Donaldson and his older brother John also owned a bookstore in London, selling books that were printed in Scotland until July 1773 at which time John remained at the Arundel Street shop, and Alexander moved to St Paul's Churchyard
Old St Paul's Cathedral
Old St Paul's Cathedral is a name used to refer to the medieval cathedral of the City of London which until 1666 stood on the site of the present St Paul's Cathedral. Built between 1087 and 1314 and dedicated to St Paul, the cathedral was the fourth church on the site at Ludgate Hill...
. In 1774, after ten years printing and publishing the Edinburgh Advertiser, Donaldson turned it over to his 22 year old son, James
James Donaldson (publisher)
James Donaldson was a Scottish printer and newspaper publisher. He bequeathed a large part of his estate to the founding of Donaldson's Hospital.-Early life:Donaldson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1751...
.
Battle of the booksellers
Donaldson was a notable "purveyor of cheap reprints" that were no longer protected by the Statute of AnneStatute of Anne
The Statute of Anne was the first copyright law in the Kingdom of Great Britain , enacted in 1709 and entering into force on 10 April 1710...
in a time known as the "Battle of the booksellers". His attitude towards copyright was not embraced by London merchants who stood to lose large sums of money over books printed in Edinburgh and sold in London. The English poet Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson , often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer...
disliked Donaldson, and criticized him, saying, "[Donaldson] is a fellow who takes advantage of the law to injure his brethren..."
While he made a fortune in his reprint business, he and others also bore the expense of legal actions in this regard. These included Osborne v Donaldson (1765) and Millar v Donaldson (1765); in 1769, Donaldson sued Reid over printing-house practices. In 1773, London bookseller James Hinton and Edinburgh writer Alexander M'Conochie sued Donaldson and John Wood in Edinburgh, and John Meurose in Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
over copyright infringement of several titles. Donaldson and his brother John were appellants in Donaldson v Beckett (1774), against the printers and booksellers Thomas Becket (or Beckett) (previously apprenticed to British publisher Andrew Millar
Andrew Millar
Andrew Millar was a British publisher.About 1729, he started business as a bookseller and publisher in the Strand, London. His own judgment in literary matters was small, but he collected an excellent staff of literary advisers, and did not hesitate to pay what at the time were considered large...
),
Peter Abraham de Hondt, John Rivington, William Johnson, William Strahan, Thomas Longman, William Richardson, John Richardson, Thomas Lowndes, Thomas Caslon, George Kearsley, Henry Baldwin, William Owen, Thomas Davies, and Thomas Cadell. The case resulted in a ruling by the British House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
on the issue of perpetual common law copyright
Common law copyright
Common law copyright is the legal doctrine which contends that copyright is a natural right and creators are therefore entitled to the same protections anyone would be in regard to tangible and real property...
and copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
as a statute that could have a limited duration.
James Boswell
James Boswell
James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck was a lawyer, diarist, and author born in Edinburgh, Scotland; he is best known for the biography he wrote of one of his contemporaries, the English literary figure Samuel Johnson....
was Donaldson's advocate in at least three of these lawsuits, Donaldson v Beckett, Donaldson v Reid and Hinton v Donaldson. Boswell, best known as Samuel Johnson's biographer, referred to Donaldson as "the prodigious Vendor of Literature", and the "Great Donaldson". Donaldson published several of Boswell's works.
Personal life
Donaldson was a founding member of the Royal Society of EdinburghRoyal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
. He retired in 1789 and bought Broughton Hall, located a mile to the northeast of central Edinburgh, which had been the residence of Archibald Stewart, Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1745). He died at Broughton Hall in 1794, leaving an estate valued at £
Pound sign
The pound sign is the symbol for the pound sterling—the currency of the United Kingdom . The same symbol is used for similarly named currencies in some other countries and territories, such as the Irish pound, Gibraltar pound, Australian pound and the Italian lira...
100,000.. He is buried in Greyfriars Churchyard
Greyfriars Kirk
Greyfriars Kirk, today Greyfriars Tolbooth & Highland Kirk, is a parish kirk of the Church of Scotland in central Edinburgh, Scotland...
.
His surviving son, James (1751–1830), inherited the Edinburgh business. He, too, died at Broughton Hall, in 1830. James was the benefactor of Donaldson's Hospital
Donaldson's College
Donaldson's School, in Linlithgow is Scotland's national residential and day school, providing education, therapy and care for pupils who are deaf or who have communication difficulties.-Headteacher and management team:...
after his death.
Partial works
- -- (1758). A catalogue of curious and valuable books, to be disposed of by way of sale, (the lowest price being marked at [sic] each book), at the shop of Alexander Donaldson, ... Edinburgh. The sale to begin on Monday the 12th day of June 1758. Edinburgh: printed in the year.
- Donaldson, A., Reid, J., & Guyse, J.John GuyseJohn Guyse was an English independent minister.-Life:Guyse was born at Hertford in 1680. He was educated for the ministry at the academy of the Rev. John Payne at Saffron Walden, and began to preach in his twentieth year. He sometimes assisted William Haworth, then minister of a congregation of...
(1761). The universal Bible: Containing the sacred text at large of the old and new testaments, with parallel scriptures. London: Printed for S. Crowder ... and J. Coote. - -- (1762). A catalogue of valuable books, In different languages and faculties, which will begin to be sold, by way of sale, at the Shop of Alexander Donaldson, Edinburgh, on Wednesday the 16th June 1762, and to continue selling for three months. The lowest price, for ready money, is marked at each article in the catalogue. In this collection are the following books, all the best editions. Folio. Grv̆ius's the saurus ant. 45 vols Montfaucon's antiquities, 7 vols Churchill's voyages, 6 vols Harris's voyages, 2 vols Purchas's pilgrims, 5 vols Pocock's travels, 2 vols Bayle's dictionary, 5 vols biographia britannica, 5 vols De Lisle's atlas the general atlas Moh's geography, 2 vols -atlas major senex's atlas Bacon's works, 3 vols Causĭ musŭm Romanum, 2 vols Dictionnaire de Moreri, 8 tomes Johnson's English dictionary, 2 vols chambers's dicttionary, 2 vols supplement to chambers, 2 vols Savary's dictionary of trade, 2 vols Miller's gardener's dictionary Ainsworth's large dictionary, 2 vols Calasio's Heb. concordance, 4 vols SuidL̆exicon, Kusteri, 3 vols Warner's church-history, 2 vols Boyle's lecture-sermons, 3 vols Patrick, Lowth, and Whitby, 6 vols Baxter's works, 4 vols Barrow's works, 2 vols Tillotson's works, 3 vols Dr. Scott's works, 2 vols Henry's commentary, 6 vols Dr. Clarke's large Bible (see the list continued on the other side.) As the books are now in order, they may be seen and bespoke every day betwixt and the time of sale. The first who speaks for a book, must always be preferred. Catalogues to be had, gratis, at the Shop of A. Donaldson; and it is intreated that gentlemen, in town or country, will call or send for them. Edinburgh: [s.n.].
- -- (1764). Some thoughts on the state of literary property Humbly submitted to the consideration of the public. London: printed for Alexander Donaldson; sold at his shop.
- -- (1768). A select collection of poems,: From the most approved authors. In two volumes. Vol. I [ -II]. Edinburgh: Printed by A. Donaldson, and sold at his shops in London and Edinburgh.
- -- (1778). Books sold cheap: By Alexr Donaldson, at No. 48, in St. Paul's Church-Yard, the corner next Cheapside, London. London: A. Donaldson.