Anthony Askew
Encyclopedia
Anthony Askew was an English
physician
and book collector.
, Westmorland
, the son of Dr. Adam Askew, a well-known physician of Newcastle
. His early education was at Sedbergh School
and The Royal Free Grammar School
in Newcastle upon Tyne
, where by all accounts he was terrified of the formidable Head Master, Richard Dawes
. He took the degree of M.B. at Emmanuel College, Cambridge
.
Initially intended for the medical profession, Askew studied for one year at Leiden University
in Holland. He then travelled to Hungary
, Athens
, Constantinople
, Italy
, and other countries. He started medical practice at Cambridge
in 1750, in which year he took his degree of M.D.
, and afterwards established himself in London
. He had a good practice, and was physician to St. Bartholomew's
and Christ's Hospital, and Registrar of the College of Physicians. He was married twice, the second time to Elizabeth Halford, by whom he had twelve children.
Askew is best known today as a classical scholar and bibliophile. He assembled one of the greatest private collections of books and manuscripts of his time, the Bibliotheca Askeviana, helping to develop the taste for curious manuscripts, scarce editions, and fine copies.
According to De Ricci, Askew "attempted to secure a complete series of all the Greek classics ever published; he purchased privately R. Mead's Greek manuscripts, the papers of Dr. Taylor and some fine early classical codices from the library of the Maffei family". And Besson says, "rare manuscripts and choice editions in exquisite bindings abounded in his library, and Askew has been credited with having made bibliomania fashionable. . . . After the death of Askew, the library was sold at an auction which lasted from 13 February to 7 March 1775. The catalogue of the collection was sold at one shilling and sixpence, with a few copies on royal paper at four shillings . . . ."
The purchasers of Askew's books at the auction included the anatomist William Hunter
, the British Museum
and the kings of England and France. Books purchased by George III of England were added to the King's Library
.
Askew's extensive collection of transcribed inscriptions is on show in the British Museum
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and book collector.
Life and work
Askew was born in KendalKendal
Kendal, anciently known as Kirkby in Kendal or Kirkby Kendal, is a market town and civil parish within the South Lakeland District of Cumbria, England...
, Westmorland
Westmorland
Westmorland is an area of North West England and one of the 39 historic counties of England. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974, after which the entirety of the county was absorbed into the new county of Cumbria.-Early history:...
, the son of Dr. Adam Askew, a well-known physician of Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. His early education was at Sedbergh School
Sedbergh School
Sedbergh School is a boarding school in Sedbergh, Cumbria, for boys and girls aged 13 to 18. Nestled in the Howgill Fells, it is known for sporting sides, such as its Rugby Union 1st XV.-Background:...
and The Royal Free Grammar School
Royal Grammar School, Newcastle
Royal Grammar School Newcastle upon Tyne, known locally and often abbreviated as RGS, is a long-established co-educational, independent school in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It gained its Royal Charter under Queen Elizabeth I...
in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, where by all accounts he was terrified of the formidable Head Master, Richard Dawes
Richard Dawes
-Life:He was born in or near Market Bosworth, England, and was educated at the town grammar school under Anthony Blackwall, and at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, of which he was elected fellow in 1731. His eccentricities and frank speaking made him unpopular. His health broke down as a result of his...
. He took the degree of M.B. at Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Emmanuel College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.The college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay on the site of a Dominican friary...
.
Initially intended for the medical profession, Askew studied for one year at Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
in Holland. He then travelled to Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and other countries. He started medical practice at Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
in 1750, in which year he took his degree of M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
, and afterwards established himself in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He had a good practice, and was physician to St. Bartholomew's
St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I...
and Christ's Hospital, and Registrar of the College of Physicians. He was married twice, the second time to Elizabeth Halford, by whom he had twelve children.
Askew is best known today as a classical scholar and bibliophile. He assembled one of the greatest private collections of books and manuscripts of his time, the Bibliotheca Askeviana, helping to develop the taste for curious manuscripts, scarce editions, and fine copies.
According to De Ricci, Askew "attempted to secure a complete series of all the Greek classics ever published; he purchased privately R. Mead's Greek manuscripts, the papers of Dr. Taylor and some fine early classical codices from the library of the Maffei family". And Besson says, "rare manuscripts and choice editions in exquisite bindings abounded in his library, and Askew has been credited with having made bibliomania fashionable. . . . After the death of Askew, the library was sold at an auction which lasted from 13 February to 7 March 1775. The catalogue of the collection was sold at one shilling and sixpence, with a few copies on royal paper at four shillings . . . ."
The purchasers of Askew's books at the auction included the anatomist William Hunter
William Hunter (anatomist)
William Hunter FRS was a Scottish anatomist and physician. He was a leading teacher of anatomy, and the outstanding obstetrician of his day...
, the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
and the kings of England and France. Books purchased by George III of England were added to the King's Library
King's Library
The King's Library was one of the most important collections of books and pamphlets of the Age of Enlightenment. Assembled by George III, this scholarly library of over 65,000 volumes was subsequently given to the British nation by George IV. It was housed in a specially built gallery in the...
.
Askew's extensive collection of transcribed inscriptions is on show in the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
.