John Bowles (1701? - 1779)

RA Collection: People and Organisations

Print publisher, younger son of Thomas Bowles I, and brother of Thomas Bowles II (q.v.). While Thomas II took on the family business, John set up his separate print shop c.1723 at Mercers’ Hall, Cheapside, London. By 1733 was trading (also?) at the sign of the Black Horse, Cornhill. John’s career can be followed through eight catalogues that he published between 1728 and 1768. The last is no less than 167 pages long.

In 1752 or 1753 his son Carington Bowles became a partner and for about ten years until 1764 they traded as John Bowles & Son. Carington then left to take on the business of Thomas Bowles II, his uncle, leaving John to continue the existing business, dropping the ’& Son’. John Bowles died a rich man in 1779 and his remaining stock was bought by Robert Wilkinson. [From: The British Museum biographical database]