Samuel Rousseau
Encyclopedia
Samuel Rousseau was a British oriental scholar and printer who compiled the first Arabic-English dictionary and translated and printed the first English language editions of several important Arabic works. He was closely related to Jean-Jacques Rousseau
, the philosopher, being descended from Jacob Rousseau, Jean-Jacques' great uncle, who had been sent from Geneva to London to look after the family watchmaking business there and who had married into the Huguenot
community and become a British subject.
, London
on 20 November 1763, he was the eldest son of Phillip Rousseau, a printer working for William Bowyer
, and his wife Susannah. Phillip died in 1814 and was buried at St Bride's Church
, Fleet Street
.
Bowyers, which was later taken over by John Nichols (printer)
, took on Samuel as an apprentice in 1778. He was later joined by his younger brother, James, but whereas James spent the rest of his working life as a compositor and editor for Nichols, Samuel preferred to set up his own business, although he was occasionally employed by Nichols in collecting epitaphs, and other remains of antiquity for The Gentleman's Magazine
.
According to Timperley
, Samuel Rousseau was "a singular instance of patient perseverance in the acquirements of the ancient languages". Whilst working as an apprentice and journeyman, he taught himself Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Persian, Arabic, and the Syriac language
. To these he added French and several other modern tongues.
On 27 May 1787, he married Mary Silvester at Tottenham
. They had two daughters, one called Elizabeth.
, Holborn
, and later moved to Wood Street, Clerkenwell
, where he established the Arabic Press. He commissioned the making of Arabic type and set about translating and printing several classic works of Arabic literature, including "The Flowers of Persian Literature" http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=TEQTAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Samuel+Rousseau&source=bl&ots=jUBno1-h3Q&sig=iZJX7qVTbj1TS9YBMl6BIHdmbDc&hl=en&ei=RfdrS7LZGJPu0gTR27nSBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=13&ved=0CC4Q6AEwDA#v=onepage&q=&f=false. He also taught Persian. Other works included publishing the prophetic writings of Joanna Southcott
.
The press was a financial failure and eventually he sought new employment as Master of Joye's Charity School (see List of former schools in the City of London) in St Ann's, Blackfriars.
He also edited a variety of works for booksellers and as he was more interested in raising money to support himself and his family, rather than achieve literary fame, most of his works appeared under a fictitious name. According to Timperley , "they have, however, proved generally successful to the publishers, as their objects were useful; and nothing ever appeared in them contrary to good morals, or the established religion and government".
. He died at his home in Ray Street, Clerkenwell
, on 4 December 1820, at the age of 57. The remains of the grant enabled his daughters to give him a decent burial in the churchyard of St James Church, Clerkenwell
.
, the legacy of Samuel Rousseau is virtually unknown today and he lacks any serious attempt at a biography.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer of 18th-century Romanticism. His political philosophy influenced the French Revolution as well as the overall development of modern political, sociological and educational thought.His novel Émile: or, On Education is a treatise...
, the philosopher, being descended from Jacob Rousseau, Jean-Jacques' great uncle, who had been sent from Geneva to London to look after the family watchmaking business there and who had married into the Huguenot
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
community and become a British subject.
Family background
Baptised Samuel Kent Rousseau in St Ann's Church, BlackfriarsSt Anne and St Agnes
St Anne and St Agnes is a church located at Gresham Street in the City of London, near the Barbican. While St Anne's is an Anglican foundation, it has been let since 1966 to a congregation of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain.-History:...
, 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...
on 20 November 1763, he was the eldest son of Phillip Rousseau, a printer working for William Bowyer
William Bowyer
William Bowyer was an English printer.Born in London, he was educated at St John's College, Cambridge, and in 1722 became a partner in his father's business. In 1729 he was appointed printer of the votes of the British House of Commons, and in 1736 printer to the Society of Antiquaries, of which...
, and his wife Susannah. Phillip died in 1814 and was buried at St Bride's Church
St Bride's Church
St Bride's Church is a church in the City of London, England. The building's most recent incarnation was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1672 on Fleet Street in the City of London, though Wren's original building was largely gutted by fire during the London Blitz in 1940. Due to its location on...
, Fleet Street
Fleet Street
Fleet Street is a street in central London, United Kingdom, named after the River Fleet, a stream that now flows underground. It was the home of the British press until the 1980s...
.
Bowyers, which was later taken over by John Nichols (printer)
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...
, took on Samuel as an apprentice in 1778. He was later joined by his younger brother, James, but whereas James spent the rest of his working life as a compositor and editor for Nichols, Samuel preferred to set up his own business, although he was occasionally employed by Nichols in collecting epitaphs, and other remains of antiquity for The Gentleman's Magazine
The Gentleman's Magazine
The Gentleman's Magazine was founded in London, England, by Edward Cave in January 1731. It ran uninterrupted for almost 200 years, until 1922. It was the first to use the term "magazine" for a periodical...
.
According to Timperley
Charles Henry Timperley
Charles Henry Timperley was an English printer and writer.-Works:*The printer's manual, 1838*A dictionary of printers and printing with the progress of literature, ancient and modern, 1839*Annals of Manchester, 1839...
, Samuel Rousseau was "a singular instance of patient perseverance in the acquirements of the ancient languages". Whilst working as an apprentice and journeyman, he taught himself Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Persian, Arabic, and the Syriac language
Syriac language
Syriac is a dialect of Middle Aramaic that was once spoken across much of the Fertile Crescent. Having first appeared as a script in the 1st century AD after being spoken as an unwritten language for five centuries, Classical Syriac became a major literary language throughout the Middle East from...
. To these he added French and several other modern tongues.
On 27 May 1787, he married Mary Silvester at Tottenham
Tottenham
Tottenham is an area of the London Borough of Haringey, England, situated north north east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:Tottenham is believed to have been named after Tota, a farmer, whose hamlet was mentioned in the Domesday Book; hence Tota's hamlet became Tottenham...
. They had two daughters, one called Elizabeth.
Translator, Printer and Publisher
After his apprenticeship, he set up his own printing business in Leather LaneLeather Lane
Leather Lane is a street one block west of Hatton Garden, in the Holborn of London. It is home to a well-used weekday market which specialises in clothing and footwear....
, Holborn
Holborn
Holborn is an area of Central London. Holborn is also the name of the area's principal east-west street, running as High Holborn from St Giles's High Street to Gray's Inn Road and then on to Holborn Viaduct...
, and later moved to Wood Street, Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell is an area of central London in the London Borough of Islington. From 1900 to 1965 it was part of the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. The well after which it was named was rediscovered in 1924. The watchmaking and watch repairing trades were once of great importance...
, where he established the Arabic Press. He commissioned the making of Arabic type and set about translating and printing several classic works of Arabic literature, including "The Flowers of Persian Literature" http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=TEQTAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Samuel+Rousseau&source=bl&ots=jUBno1-h3Q&sig=iZJX7qVTbj1TS9YBMl6BIHdmbDc&hl=en&ei=RfdrS7LZGJPu0gTR27nSBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=13&ved=0CC4Q6AEwDA#v=onepage&q=&f=false. He also taught Persian. Other works included publishing the prophetic writings of Joanna Southcott
Joanna Southcott
Joanna Southcott , was a self-described religious prophetess. She was born at Gittisham in Devon, England.-Self-revelation:...
.
The press was a financial failure and eventually he sought new employment as Master of Joye's Charity School (see List of former schools in the City of London) in St Ann's, Blackfriars.
He also edited a variety of works for booksellers and as he was more interested in raising money to support himself and his family, rather than achieve literary fame, most of his works appeared under a fictitious name. According to Timperley , "they have, however, proved generally successful to the publishers, as their objects were useful; and nothing ever appeared in them contrary to good morals, or the established religion and government".
Death
Around 1817 he suffered a paralytic stroke which continued to increase, and joined to a cancerous affliction in the face made him incapable of holding a pen or even of feeding himself. In dire poverty, and with two daughters wholly dependent on him, he was greatly comforted by a large grant from the Royal Literary FundRoyal Literary Fund
The Royal Literary Fund is a benevolent fund set up to help published British writers in financial difficulties. It was founded by Reverend David Williams in 1790 and has received bequests and donations, including royal patronage, ever since...
. He died at his home in Ray Street, Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell is an area of central London in the London Borough of Islington. From 1900 to 1965 it was part of the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. The well after which it was named was rediscovered in 1924. The watchmaking and watch repairing trades were once of great importance...
, on 4 December 1820, at the age of 57. The remains of the grant enabled his daughters to give him a decent burial in the churchyard of St James Church, Clerkenwell
St James Church, Clerkenwell
St James Church, Clerkenwell is an Anglican parish church in Clerkenwell, London, England.- Nunnery of St Mary: c. 1100 - 1539 :The parish of St James, Clerkenwell, has had a long and sometimes lively history. The springs which give Clerkenwell its name are mentioned during the reign of Henry II...
.
Legacy
Apart from a small entry in the Dictionary of National BiographyDictionary of National Biography
The Dictionary of National Biography is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885...
, the legacy of Samuel Rousseau is virtually unknown today and he lacks any serious attempt at a biography.