William Collins
Scottish editor and publisher
William Collins (12 October 1789 – 2 January 1853) was a Scottish schoolmaster, editor and publisher who founded William Collins, Sons, now part of HarperCollins. William Collins was born at Eastwood, Renfrewshire, on 12 October 1789.2
From Wikipedia’s article on William Collins (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.
Born Oct 12, 1789, died Jan 2, 1853.1
About
He was a millworker who established a company in 1819 for printing and publishing. The business eventually published pamphlets, sermons, hymn books and prayer books as well as a wide range of office products. By 1824 he had produced the company's first dictionary, the Greek and English Lexicon. He was instrumental in bringing Thomas Chalmers from Kilmany to Glasgow. He also obtained a licence to publish the Bible in the 1840s. He was promoter of Scotland's first temperance movement. He founded the Glasgow Church Building Society which created 20 new churches. He died on 2 January 1853 at Rothesay, Buteshire.
From Wikipedia’s article on William Collins, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2
Companies
- William Collins, SonsFounder7
Career
Occupation: publisher, schoolmaster.4
- Date not recordedFounded William Collins, Sons3
When Dr Chalmers originated the idea of local Sabbath Schools, Collins opened the first school. Chalmers was next transferred to the new parish of St John's. Collins accompanied his minister to his new charge, and still kept his place by his side. To Dr Chalmers, with his keen political and social insight, it belonged to originate methods of civic and Christian economy, and to expound and recommend them. But his elder, quiet and unobtrusive, came after him, testing the ideas of his chief, and giving them practical realization in the hovels of the poor.
From Wikipedia’s article on William Collins (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.
Personal life
- BornOct 12, 1789, Pollokshaws5
- CitizenshipUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Kingdom of Great Britain6
Publishing of religious works
Collins published religious literature by reprinting, in a more accessible form, many of the writings of the divines of the sixteenth and seventeenth century. To these volumes suitable introductions were prefixed, written by the more eminent clergymen and laymen of the day, of all denominations.
Family
His son Sir William Collins served as Lord Provost of Glasgow.
From Wikipedia’s article on William Collins (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.
Links
Sources
The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.
- 1WikidataWilliam Collins on Wikidata
- 2WikipediaWilliam Collins on Wikipedia
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7WikidataWilliam Collins, Sons, Founder
- 8