Matthew Blewett 1652?-1693

Matthew BLEWETT or BLEWIT 1652?-1693

Biographical Note

Born in Clerkenwell, London, son of Francis Blewett, brewer. Matriculated Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge 1673, BA 1677, MA 1680. Rector of Ickborough, Norfolk, 1676-93; Rector of Langford, 1680.

Books

Blewett's library, advertised as comprising “oriental, Greek, Latin, French, Italian, Spanish and English” material, was begun to be auctioned by John Bullord at Tom’s Coffee-House, London, 31 January 1693/4. The surviving printed catalogue (Wing B3189) lists 871 vols, mostly in Latin but including some polyglot, in classics, history, orientalia, theology, philosophy, geography and miscellaneous other subjects. There are no English books and as the catalogue refers to the sale continuing on 5 February with the “French, &c” books this may be only part of the total collection.

Characteristic Markings

None of Blewett’s books have been identified.

Sources

• Bibliotheca Blewitiana, 1693/4, ESTC r170686.

• Venn, J. and J. A., Alumni Cantabrigienses, Cambridge, 1922.