John Rosewell ca.1635-1684

John ROSEWELL ca.1635-1684

Biographical Note

Matriculated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, on 2 April 1652, BA Corpus Christi College, Oxford 1655, MA 1659, BD 1667. Head Master of Eton College 1671, Canon of Windsor 1678, fellow of Eton 1683.

Books

In his will, Rosewell bequeathed all his printed books to Corpus Christi College, Oxford, except any which were duplicates (either there, or on his own shelves already); these were to be disposed of as his executors thought best. A list of the books Rosewell left to the college appears in the register of wills and bequests, compiled c.1710 (Corpus Christi College Archives B/11/1/2). Rosewell was in fact one of the most generous benefactors to the library and his entry covers almost 26 pages, probably about 1,000 books. Within his collection are several presentation inscriptions, books owned by Isaac Casaubon and a pamphlet which once belonged to John Donne.

Characteristic Markings

Rosewell only occasionally wrote his name in books; most are identified by an institutional printed book label detailing the bequest.

Sources

• Will of John Rosewell, The National Archives PROB 11/378/176.
• Foster, J. Alumni Oxonienses. London, 1888.
• Morgan, P. Oxford libraries outside the Bodleian, 2nd edn, Oxford, 1980.
• John Rosewell, Wikipedia.