Barak Longmate
Encyclopedia
Barak Longmate was an English genealogist and editor, heraldic engraver and publisher.
in London
. He engraved
some topographical drawings, but was more distinguished as an heraldic engraver (a branch of bright cut engraving). He died on 23 July 1793 in Noel Street, Soho
, and was buried on the 27th of that month in Marylebone churchyard. He had a son Barak by his wife Elizabeth (d. 1781). His small but valuable library, and a large collection of heraldic manuscripts were auction off at Sotheby's
on 6th and 7th March 1784, realising just over £235 - considered not a great sum.
Longmate published an edition (the fifth) of Collins 'Peerage,' (8 vols. 8vo, London, 1779), and a 'Supplement' in 1784. Of this work he left materials for a new edition. He also edited the 'Pocket Peerage of England, Scotland, and Ireland,' (12mo, London, 1788, new edition, 1790). For Sir Richard Sullivan
's 'Thoughts on the Early Ages of the Irish Nation and History,' (4to, 1789), he engraved an elaborate genealogical plate, entitled ' A Genealogical History of the Family of O'Sullivan More from Duach Donn, monarch of Ireland. Anno Mundi 912.' which he regarded as his masterpiece (Martin, Cat. of Privately Printed books,' p. 105).
William Sharp
(1749-1824) and John Swaine
(1775–1860) were both pupils of Longmate.
'Peerage' badly affected sales. He was a guod draughtsman, and well skilled in heraldry, and waa of much assistance to John Nichols
and other antiquarians in their topographical labours.
About 1801 he made notes respecting the churches in many Gloucestershire
parishes, with the view of publishing a continuation of Ralph Bigland
's 'History' of that county. Owing however, to the fire at Nichols's printing-office in 1808, the work was abandoned, and the manuscript was deposited, instead, among the collections of Sir Thomas Phillipps
at Middle Hill, Broadway, Worcestershire. Longmate died on 25 Feb. 1836.
Life and work
Longmate was born in 1738, son of Barak and Elizabeth Longmate of St James's, WestminsterWestminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
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 engraved
Engraving
Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
some topographical drawings, but was more distinguished as an heraldic engraver (a branch of bright cut engraving). He died on 23 July 1793 in Noel Street, Soho
Soho
Soho is an area of the City of Westminster and part of the West End of London. Long established as an entertainment district, for much of the 20th century Soho had a reputation for sex shops as well as night life and film industry. Since the early 1980s, the area has undergone considerable...
, and was buried on the 27th of that month in Marylebone churchyard. He had a son Barak by his wife Elizabeth (d. 1781). His small but valuable library, and a large collection of heraldic manuscripts were auction off at Sotheby's
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is the world's fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation.-History:The oldest auction house in operation is the Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674, the second oldest is Göteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681 and third oldest being founded in 1731, all Swedish...
on 6th and 7th March 1784, realising just over £235 - considered not a great sum.
Longmate published an edition (the fifth) of Collins 'Peerage,' (8 vols. 8vo, London, 1779), and a 'Supplement' in 1784. Of this work he left materials for a new edition. He also edited the 'Pocket Peerage of England, Scotland, and Ireland,' (12mo, London, 1788, new edition, 1790). For Sir Richard Sullivan
Sir Richard Sullivan, 1st Baronet
Sir Richard Joseph Sullivan, 1st Baronet was a British MP and writer.-Biography:He was born the third son of Benjamin Sullivan of Dromeragh, Co. Cork, by his wife Bridget, daughter of Paul Limrick, D.D....
's 'Thoughts on the Early Ages of the Irish Nation and History,' (4to, 1789), he engraved an elaborate genealogical plate, entitled ' A Genealogical History of the Family of O'Sullivan More from Duach Donn, monarch of Ireland. Anno Mundi 912.' which he regarded as his masterpiece (Martin, Cat. of Privately Printed books,' p. 105).
William Sharp
William Sharp (engraver)
William Sharp , was an English line-engraver and artist.-Life and work:Sharp was the son of a reputable gunsmith who lived at Haydon's Yard, Minories in central London...
(1749-1824) and John Swaine
John Swaine
John Swaine was an English draughtsman and engraver.-Life and work:Swaine was born at Stanwell, Middlesex, on 26 June 1775, the son of John and Margaret Swaine, and became a pupil first of Jacob Schnebbelie and afterwards of Barak Longmate...
(1775–1860) were both pupils of Longmate.
Barak Longmate the younger
His son, Barak Longmate (1768-1836), born in 1768, succeeded his father in his profession and as editor of the 'Pocket Peerage,' of which he issued an edition in two duodecimo volumes in 1813; but the increased success of Debrett'sDebrett's
Debrett’s is a specialist publisher, founded in 1769 with the publication of the first edition of The New Peerage. The name "Debrett's" honours John Debrett...
'Peerage' badly affected sales. He was a guod draughtsman, and well skilled in heraldry, and waa of much assistance to John Nichols
John Nichols (printer)
John Nichols was an English printer, author and antiquary.-Early life and apprenticeship:He was born in Islington, London to Edward Nichols and Anne Wilmot. On 22 June 1766 he married Anne Cradock daughter of William Cradock...
and other antiquarians in their topographical labours.
About 1801 he made notes respecting the churches in many Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
parishes, with the view of publishing a continuation of Ralph Bigland
Ralph Bigland
Ralph Bigland was an English officer of arms and cheesemaker. He was born at Stepney, Middlesex, and was the only son of Richard Bigland and his wife, Mary. His father was a native of Westmorland, descended from the Bigland family of Bigland, Lancashire.-Early career:In 1728 Bigland was...
's 'History' of that county. Owing however, to the fire at Nichols's printing-office in 1808, the work was abandoned, and the manuscript was deposited, instead, among the collections of Sir Thomas Phillipps
Thomas Phillipps
Sir Thomas Phillipps, 1st Baronet was an English antiquary and book collector who amassed the largest collection of manuscript material in the 19th century, due to his severe condition of bibliomania...
at Middle Hill, Broadway, Worcestershire. Longmate died on 25 Feb. 1836.
External links
- Portrait engravings by Barak Longmate (National Portrait Gallery).