William Blagrove
Encyclopedia
William Blagrove was a bookseller, publisher and librarian in Boston
, Massachusetts
, in the early 19th century. He ran the Union Circulating Library, a subscription library
, from 1804 through 1811; it was located on School Street
. As a publisher, he issued "a chaste collection of amatory and miscellaneous songs, designed chiefly for the ladies" in 1808.
In 1805 Blagrove's uncle, William Pelham
, published The Elements of Chess, "one of the earliest works upon chess published in the United States, and the first of its kind printed at Boston. The editor of this volume — (that the book was edited by some chessplayer at the time of its publication is apparent from an exceedingly interesting appendix, containing much new and original matter) — was undoubtedly a nephew of Mr. Pelham's, named William Blagrove, who is known to have been an enthusiast of chess, and a player of merit."
He married Nancy Pelham; children included William Pelham (b.1808).
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, in the early 19th century. He ran the Union Circulating Library, a subscription library
Subscription library
A subscription library is a library that is financed by private funds either from membership fees or endowments...
, from 1804 through 1811; it was located on School Street
School Street
School Street is a short but significant street in the center of Boston, Massachusetts. It is so named for being the site of the first public school in the United States...
. As a publisher, he issued "a chaste collection of amatory and miscellaneous songs, designed chiefly for the ladies" in 1808.
In 1805 Blagrove's uncle, William Pelham
William Pelham (bookseller)
William Pelham was a bookseller and publisher in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He kept a shop and circulating subscription library at no.59 Cornhill, 1796-1810.-Biography:...
, published The Elements of Chess, "one of the earliest works upon chess published in the United States, and the first of its kind printed at Boston. The editor of this volume — (that the book was edited by some chessplayer at the time of its publication is apparent from an exceedingly interesting appendix, containing much new and original matter) — was undoubtedly a nephew of Mr. Pelham's, named William Blagrove, who is known to have been an enthusiast of chess, and a player of merit."
He married Nancy Pelham; children included William Pelham (b.1808).
Further reading
- The Elements of Chess, a Treatise combining Theory with Practice, and comprising the whole of Philidor's Games and explanatory Notes, new modelled and arranged upon an original Plan. Boston: William Blagrove, 1805. Possibly edited by Blagrove.
- Catalogue of the Union Circulating Library, no. 5 School-Street. Boston: Munroe & Francis, printers., 1806.
- The nightingale; or, Polite amatory songster. A selection of delicate, pathetic, and elegant songs, designed chiefly for the ladies. To which is added an appendix, containing some of the most popular new songs. Boston: Wm. Blagrove, 1808.
- Catalogue of the Union Circulating Library, No. 3, School-Street. Boston: Printed for W. Blagrove, librarian, Samuel Avery, printer, 1810.