Thomas Park (antiquarian)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Park was an English antiquary and bibliographer, also known as a literary editor.
, Middlesex
. When ten years old he was sent to a grammar school at Heighington
, County Durham
, and remained there for more than five years.
He was brought up as an engraver, and produced mezzotint
portraits, including John Thomas, bishop of Rochester, and Miss Penelope Boothby, after Sir Joshua Reynolds; Mrs. Jordan as the Comic Muse, after John Hoppner
; and a Magdalen after Ubaldo Gandolfi
. In 1797 he abandoned this career, and devoted himself to literature and the study of antiquities. In London he lived in turn in Piccadilly
; High Street, Marylebone, where Richard Heber
used to drink tea two or three times a week; Durweston Street, Portman Square
; and Hampstead
, where he was involved with local charities.
On 11 March 1802 he was admitted as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries; but he resigned in 1815 for financial reasons. He sold his books to Thomas Hill (1760–1840), with the condition that he could still consult them. Later they went to Longmans, and, after being catalogued by A. F. Griffiths in Bibliotheca Anglo-Poetica were dispersed by sale. He edited many works, and assisted leading antiquaries in their researches.
Park died at Church Row, Hampstead, where he had resided for thirty years, on 26 November 1834, aged 75.
He also wrote some cards of ‘Christian Remembrance: a Plain Clue to the Gospel of Peace.’ Park's name is included in John Julian
's Hymnology for his hymn "My soul, praise the Lord; speak good of His name".
Several poetical articles were supplied by him for John Nichols
's ‘Progresses of Queen Elizabeth;’ some of his notes and illustrations were added to W. C. Hazlitt's edition of Diana, Sonnets and other Poems, by Henry Constable
, 1859; and he was a contributor to the Gentleman's Magazine and the Monthly Mirror. Letters to and from him are printed in several places. Cowper's letters to him, originally printed in the ‘Monthly Mirror,’ were in Southey's edition of the Life and Correspondence of Cowper.
Park is sometimes said to have been associated with Edward Dubois in editing, in 1817, the works in two volumes of Sir John Mennes and Dr. James Smith, and there was reprinted at the Lee Priory Press in 1818 under his editorship a volume called ‘The Trumpet of Fame, written by H. R. 1595.’
Park's assistance was acknowledged by Sir Egerton Brydges in the ‘Restituta’ (vol. iv. p. xi), and in prefaces to the volumes of the ‘Censura Literaria.’ He helped George Ellis in his various collections of poetry and romance; he aided Joseph Ritson in the ‘Bibliographia Poetica’ and the unpublished ‘Bibliographia Scotica,’ though their friendly relationship was broken off before Ritson's death; and George Steevens
, when engaged in editing Shakespeare, called on him for advice and information. At one time he planned to edit Thomas Warton
's ‘History of English Poetry’; his notes were added to the 1824 edition of that work, and were incorporated under their proper headings in the 1840 edition.
Robert Bloomfield
, the ploughboy poet, was introduced to him, and he superintended the publication, and corrected the various editions, of Bloomfield's ‘Poems.’ He also helped the posthumous reputation of Kirke White.
who long suffered from ill-health, died at Hampstead on 7 June 1813, aged 52. (She must be distinguished from Maria Hester Parke, married name Mrs. Beardmore, a singer and musical composer, daughter of John Parke.)
Life
He was the son of parents who lived at East ActonEast Acton
East Acton is a place in west London, England. It is partly in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and partly in the London Borough of Ealing...
, Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
. When ten years old he was sent to a grammar school at Heighington
Heighington, County Durham
Heighington is a village in the borough of Darlington and ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It is situated between Darlington and Shildon, near Newton Aycliffe. One of its most significant features is St Michael's Church that sits in the middle of an exceptionally fine and large village...
, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, and remained there for more than five years.
He was brought up as an engraver, and produced mezzotint
Mezzotint
Mezzotint is a printmaking process of the intaglio family, technically a drypoint method. It was the first tonal method to be used, enabling half-tones to be produced without using line- or dot-based techniques like hatching, cross-hatching or stipple...
portraits, including John Thomas, bishop of Rochester, and Miss Penelope Boothby, after Sir Joshua Reynolds; Mrs. Jordan as the Comic Muse, after John Hoppner
John Hoppner
John Hoppner was an English portrait painter, .-Early life:Hoppner was born in Whitechapel, London, the son of German parents - his mother was one of the German attendants at the royal palace. King George's fatherly interest and patronage of the young boy gave rise to rumours, quite unfounded,...
; and a Magdalen after Ubaldo Gandolfi
Ubaldo Gandolfi
Ubaldo Gandolfi was an Italian painter of the late-Baroque period, mainly active in and near Bologna.He was born in San Matteo della Decima and enrolled by the age of 17 at the Clementine Academy, where he apprenticed with Ercole Graziani the Younger, Felice Torelli, and Ercole Lelli...
. In 1797 he abandoned this career, and devoted himself to literature and the study of antiquities. In London he lived in turn in Piccadilly
Piccadilly
Piccadilly is a major street in central London, running from Hyde Park Corner in the west to Piccadilly Circus in the east. It is completely within the city of Westminster. The street is part of the A4 road, London's second most important western artery. St...
; High Street, Marylebone, where Richard Heber
Richard Heber
Richard Heber , English book-collector, the half-brother of Reginald Heber, was born in London.As an undergraduate at Brasenose College, Oxford, he began to collect a purely classical library, but his taste broadening, he became interested in early English drama and literature, and began his...
used to drink tea two or three times a week; Durweston Street, Portman Square
Portman Square
Portman Square is a square in London, part of the Portman Estate. It is located at the western end of Wigmore Street, which connects it to Cavendish Square to its east. It is served by London bus route 274...
; and Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
, where he was involved with local charities.
On 11 March 1802 he was admitted as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries; but he resigned in 1815 for financial reasons. He sold his books to Thomas Hill (1760–1840), with the condition that he could still consult them. Later they went to Longmans, and, after being catalogued by A. F. Griffiths in Bibliotheca Anglo-Poetica were dispersed by sale. He edited many works, and assisted leading antiquaries in their researches.
Park died at Church Row, Hampstead, where he had resided for thirty years, on 26 November 1834, aged 75.
Works
Park wrote:- ‘Sonnets and other small Poems,’ 1797. In 1792 he had made the acquaintance of William CowperWilliam CowperWilliam Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. In many ways, he was one of the forerunners of Romantic poetry...
, who encouraged him to publish, and his compositions were corrected by Anna SewardAnna SewardAnna Seward was an English Romantic poet, often called the Swan of Lichfield.-Life:Seward was the elder daughter of Thomas Seward , prebendary of Lichfield and Salisbury, and author...
; but Robert SoutheyRobert SoutheyRobert Southey was an English poet of the Romantic school, one of the so-called "Lake Poets", and Poet Laureate for 30 years from 1813 to his death in 1843...
laughed at his pretensions. Many of the sonnets in this volume were written on scenes in Kent, Sussex, and Hertfordshire. - ‘Cupid turned Volunteer. A series of prints designed by the Princess Elizabeth and engraved by W. N. Gardiner. With poetical illustrations by Thomas Park,’ 1804. Engravings of William Nelson Gardiner.
- ‘Epitaphial Lines on Interment of Princess Charlotte,’ Lee Priory Press, 20 November 1817. Sir Egerton Brydges printed at this press in 1815 some verses to Park.
- ‘Nugæ Modernæ Morning Thoughts and Midnight Musings,’ 1818.
- ‘Advantages of Early Rising,’ 1824.
- ‘Solacing Verses for Serious Times,’ 1832.
He also wrote some cards of ‘Christian Remembrance: a Plain Clue to the Gospel of Peace.’ Park's name is included in John Julian
John Julian
John Julian was the first recorded black pirate to operate in the New World, as the pilot of the ship Whydah.Julian was a half-blood Miskito Indian who joined Samuel Bellamy early in his brief career. He eventually piloted the Whydah, which was the leading ship of Bellamy's fleet, when he was only...
's Hymnology for his hymn "My soul, praise the Lord; speak good of His name".
Several poetical articles were supplied by him for 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...
's ‘Progresses of Queen Elizabeth;’ some of his notes and illustrations were added to W. C. Hazlitt's edition of Diana, Sonnets and other Poems, by Henry Constable
Henry Constable
Henry Constable was an English poet, son of Sir Robert Constable. He went to St John's College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in 1580. Becoming a Roman Catholic, he went to Paris, and acted as anagent for the Catholic powers. He died at Liège...
, 1859; and he was a contributor to the Gentleman's Magazine and the Monthly Mirror. Letters to and from him are printed in several places. Cowper's letters to him, originally printed in the ‘Monthly Mirror,’ were in Southey's edition of the Life and Correspondence of Cowper.
Editor
Southey praised Park to Longmans as the best editor for the Bibliotheca Britannica which they projected. Among the works which he edited were:- Books for the ‘mental culture and moral guidance of youth,’ printed by a bookseller called Sael, who died in 1799.
- ‘Nugæ Antiquæ: a miscellaneous Collection of Papers by Sir John Harington, selected by the late Henry Harington, and newly arranged, with illustrative notes,’ 1804, 2 vols.
- John Sharpe's ‘Works of the British Poets,’ 1805–8, forty-two volumes, with a supplement in six more volumes.
- John DrydenJohn DrydenJohn Dryden was an influential English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who dominated the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden.Walter Scott called him "Glorious John." He was made Poet...
's ‘Fables from Boccaccio and Chaucer,’ 1806, 2 vols. - Horace Walpole's ‘Royal and Noble Authors, Enlarged and Continued,’ 1806, 5 vols.
- ‘Harleian Miscellany,’ 1808–1813, in ten volumes, two of which were supplements from Park's collections.
- ‘Reliques of Ancient English Poetry. By Bishop Percy,’ 5th edit. 1812. 3 vols.
- Thomas CookeThomas Cooke (author)Thomas Cooke , often called "Hesiod" Cooke, was a very active English translator and author who ran afoul of Alexander Pope and was mentioned as one of the "dunces" in Pope's Dunciad. His father was an inn keeper, and Cooke arrived in London in 1722 and began working as a writer for the Whig causes...
's ‘Translation of Hesiod’ for the ‘Greek and Roman Poets,’ 1813. - Joseph RitsonJoseph RitsonJoseph Ritson was an English antiquary.He was born at Stockton-on-Tees, of a Westmorland yeoman family. He was educated for the law, and settled in London as a conveyancer at the age of twenty-two. He devoted his spare time to literature, and in 1782 published an attack on Thomas Warton's History...
's ‘Select Collections of English Songs, with their Original Airs,’ 2nd edit. with additional songs and occasional notes, 1813, 3 vols. - ‘Heliconia: a Selection of English Poetry between 1575 and 1604,’ 1815, 3 vols. John Payne CollierJohn Payne CollierJohn Payne Collier , English Shakespearian critic and forger, was born in London.-Reporter and solicitor:...
, when announcing a new issue of England's Parnassus, commented severely on the edition in ‘Heliconia’.
Park is sometimes said to have been associated with Edward Dubois in editing, in 1817, the works in two volumes of Sir John Mennes and Dr. James Smith, and there was reprinted at the Lee Priory Press in 1818 under his editorship a volume called ‘The Trumpet of Fame, written by H. R. 1595.’
Park's assistance was acknowledged by Sir Egerton Brydges in the ‘Restituta’ (vol. iv. p. xi), and in prefaces to the volumes of the ‘Censura Literaria.’ He helped George Ellis in his various collections of poetry and romance; he aided Joseph Ritson in the ‘Bibliographia Poetica’ and the unpublished ‘Bibliographia Scotica,’ though their friendly relationship was broken off before Ritson's death; and George Steevens
George Steevens
George Steevens was an English Shakespearean commentator.He was born at Poplar, the son of a captain and later director of the East India Company. He was educated at Eton College and at King's College, Cambridge, where he remained from 1753 to 1756...
, when engaged in editing Shakespeare, called on him for advice and information. At one time he planned to edit Thomas Warton
Thomas Warton
Thomas Warton was an English literary historian, critic, and poet. From 1785 to 1790 he was the Poet Laureate of England...
's ‘History of English Poetry’; his notes were added to the 1824 edition of that work, and were incorporated under their proper headings in the 1840 edition.
Robert Bloomfield
Robert Bloomfield
Robert Bloomfield was an English labouring class poet whose work is appreciated in the context of other self-educated writers such as Stephen Duck, Mary Collier and John Clare.-Life:...
, the ploughboy poet, was introduced to him, and he superintended the publication, and corrected the various editions, of Bloomfield's ‘Poems.’ He also helped the posthumous reputation of Kirke White.
Family
His only son John James Park died young in June 1833. He left four daughters, the survivors of a large family. His wife Maria Hester ParkMaria Hester Park
Maria Hester Park was a British composer, pianist, and singer. She was also a noted piano teacher who taught many students in the nobility, including the Duchess of Devonshire and her daughters....
who long suffered from ill-health, died at Hampstead on 7 June 1813, aged 52. (She must be distinguished from Maria Hester Parke, married name Mrs. Beardmore, a singer and musical composer, daughter of John Parke.)