Born in London, apprenticed to a bookseller aged fourteen. With experience of a number of firms he set up his own publishing business. 1858 launched The Bookseller. 1869 published the first issue of the cricketing reference work Whitaker's Almanack. At least 2 of his 15 children worked in the business. Died at the house with the plaque, where he had lived since 1862.
Our image comes from page 308 of a thesis submitted by Rachel Elisabeth Calder for her award of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Information Studies at UCL.