Thomas Cadell (publisher)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Cadell was a successful 18th-century English bookseller, who published works by some of the most famous writers of the century.
Thomas Cadell was born in Bristol
to William and Mary Cadell and baptized on 12 November 1742. In March of 1758, Cadell’s father apprenticed him to the successful London bookseller and publisher Andrew Millar
. Cadell became his partner in April of 1765 and took over the business upon Millar’s death in 1767. Now a successful bookseller, Cadell married the daughter of Reverend Thomas Jones on 1 April 1769.
Cadell ran his business out of 141 Strand
for over 25 years, sometimes partnering with William Strahan
and later Andrew Strahan. He published works by notable authors, whom he paid well. For example, Cadell and Strahan published Edward Gibbon
’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1776–88), Henry Mackenzie
’s The Man of Feeling
(1771) and the poetry of Robert Burns
. Cadell wrote to Gibbon in 1787: “I had rather risk my fortune with a few such Authors as Mr Gibbon, Dr Robertson, D Hume … than be the publisher of a hundred insipid publications”. He also published works by the jurist William Blackstone
, the philosopher David Hume
, the author and critic Samuel Johnson
, the philosopher and economist Adam Smith
, the novelist Tobias Smollett
, the novelist Frances Burney, the historian Catharine Macaulay, and the moralist Hannah More
. He also published the novels of Charlotte Turner Smith
until her works became too radical
, refusing to publish Desmond
in 1792.
Cadell had a strong relationship with Johnson. Cadell was part of the group of booksellers who convinced the famous critic to write Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets
(1779–81). He also published Johnson’s political tracts of the 1770s and, together with Strahan, his A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland
(1775). After Johnson died, Cadell published Hester Thrale Piozzi's Letters and Anecdotes about Johnson.
Cadell was well liked by other booksellers and he helped establish the booksellers’ dining club which met each month at the Shakespeare tavern in Wych Street
. Together, they prosecuted infringements on their copyrights from Scottish and Irish printers.
In January 1786, Cadell’s wife died. The couple had two children. His daughter married Dr. Charles Lucas Eldridge, chaplain to George III. His son, Thomas Cadell the younger, took over the family business when his father retired in 1793.
After his retirement, Cadell served on the boards of several philanthropic institutions, such as the Foundling Hospital
. In March 1798, he was elected alderman
of Walbrook
and served as sheriff from 1800 to 1801. He was also master of the Stationers’ Company
from 1798 to 1799 and stock-keeper in 1800.
Cadell died at his home on 27 December 1802 from an asthma
attack.
Thomas Cadell was born in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
to William and Mary Cadell and baptized on 12 November 1742. In March of 1758, Cadell’s father apprenticed him to the successful London bookseller and publisher Andrew Millar
Andrew Millar
Andrew Millar was a British publisher.About 1729, he started business as a bookseller and publisher in the Strand, London. His own judgment in literary matters was small, but he collected an excellent staff of literary advisers, and did not hesitate to pay what at the time were considered large...
. Cadell became his partner in April of 1765 and took over the business upon Millar’s death in 1767. Now a successful bookseller, Cadell married the daughter of Reverend Thomas Jones on 1 April 1769.
Cadell ran his business out of 141 Strand
Strand, London
Strand is a street in the City of Westminster, London, England. The street is just over three-quarters of a mile long. It currently starts at Trafalgar Square and runs east to join Fleet Street at Temple Bar, which marks the boundary of the City of London at this point, though its historical length...
for over 25 years, sometimes partnering with William Strahan
William Strahan
William Strahan was a Scottish printer and publisher, and a Member of Parliament.Born in Edinburgh as William Strachan, and educated at the Royal High School, Strahan was originally apprenticed to an Edinburgh printer but became a Master Printer in London...
and later Andrew Strahan. He published works by notable authors, whom he paid well. For example, Cadell and Strahan published Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon
Edward Gibbon was an English historian and Member of Parliament...
’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1776–88), Henry Mackenzie
Henry Mackenzie
Henry Mackenzie was a Scottish novelist and miscellaneous writer. He was also known by the sobriquet "Addison of the North."-Biography:Mackenzie was born in Edinburgh....
’s The Man of Feeling
The Man of Feeling
The Man of Feeling is a sentimental novel published in 1771, written by Scottish author Henry Mackenzie. The novel presents a series of moral vignettes which the naïve protagonist Harley either observes, is told about, or participates in...
(1771) and the poetry of Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
. Cadell wrote to Gibbon in 1787: “I had rather risk my fortune with a few such Authors as Mr Gibbon, Dr Robertson, D Hume … than be the publisher of a hundred insipid publications”. He also published works by the jurist William Blackstone
William Blackstone
Sir William Blackstone KC SL was an English jurist, judge and Tory politician of the eighteenth century. He is most noted for writing the Commentaries on the Laws of England. Born into a middle class family in London, Blackstone was educated at Charterhouse School before matriculating at Pembroke...
, the philosopher David Hume
David Hume
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment...
, the author and critic Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson , often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer...
, the philosopher and economist Adam Smith
Adam Smith
Adam Smith was a Scottish social philosopher and a pioneer of political economy. One of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, Smith is the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations...
, the novelist Tobias Smollett
Tobias Smollett
Tobias George Smollett was a Scottish poet and author. He was best known for his picaresque novels, such as The Adventures of Roderick Random and The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle , which influenced later novelists such as Charles Dickens.-Life:Smollett was born at Dalquhurn, now part of Renton,...
, the novelist Frances Burney, the historian Catharine Macaulay, and the moralist Hannah More
Hannah More
Hannah More was an English religious writer, and philanthropist. She can be said to have made three reputations in the course of her long life: as a poet and playwright in the circle of Johnson, Reynolds and Garrick, as a writer on moral and religious subjects, and as a practical...
. He also published the novels of Charlotte Turner Smith
Charlotte Turner Smith
Charlotte Turner Smith was an English Romantic poet and novelist. She initiated a revival of the English sonnet, helped establish the conventions of Gothic fiction, and wrote political novels of sensibility....
until her works became too radical
Radicalism (historical)
The term Radical was used during the late 18th century for proponents of the Radical Movement. It later became a general pejorative term for those favoring or seeking political reforms which include dramatic changes to the social order...
, refusing to publish Desmond
Desmond (novel)
Desmond is a novel by Charlotte Turner Smith. The novel focuses on politics during the French Revolution....
in 1792.
Cadell had a strong relationship with Johnson. Cadell was part of the group of booksellers who convinced the famous critic to write Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets
Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets
Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets was a work by Samuel Johnson, comprising short biographies and critical appraisals of 52 poets, most of whom lived during the eighteenth century...
(1779–81). He also published Johnson’s political tracts of the 1770s and, together with Strahan, his A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland
A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland
A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland is a travel narrative by Samuel Johnson about an eighty-three day journey through Scotland, in particular the islands of the Hebrides, in the late summer and autumn of 1773...
(1775). After Johnson died, Cadell published Hester Thrale Piozzi's Letters and Anecdotes about Johnson.
Cadell was well liked by other booksellers and he helped establish the booksellers’ dining club which met each month at the Shakespeare tavern in Wych Street
Wych Street
Wych Street was a street in London, roughly where Australia House now stands on Aldwych. It ran west from the church of St Clement Danes on the Strand to a point towards the southern end of Drury Lane...
. Together, they prosecuted infringements on their copyrights from Scottish and Irish printers.
In January 1786, Cadell’s wife died. The couple had two children. His daughter married Dr. Charles Lucas Eldridge, chaplain to George III. His son, Thomas Cadell the younger, took over the family business when his father retired in 1793.
After his retirement, Cadell served on the boards of several philanthropic institutions, such as the Foundling Hospital
Foundling Hospital
The Foundling Hospital in London, England was founded in 1741 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. It was a children's home established for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children." The word "hospital" was used in a more general sense than it is today, simply...
. In March 1798, he was elected alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of Walbrook
Walbrook
Walbrook is the name of a ward, a street and a subterranean river in the City of London.-Underground river:The river played a key role in the Roman settlement of Londinium, the city now known as London. It is thought that the river was named because it ran through or under the London Wall; another...
and served as sheriff from 1800 to 1801. He was also master of the Stationers’ Company
Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers
The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Stationers' Company was founded in 1403; it received a Royal Charter in 1557...
from 1798 to 1799 and stock-keeper in 1800.
Cadell died at his home on 27 December 1802 from an asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
attack.