John Stark (printer)
John Stark of Huntfield FRSE FSSA (1779–1849) was a 19th-century Scottish printer, author and naturalist.
Life[edit]
He was born on 14 October 1779 in Blyth's Muir in Peeblesshire the son of James Stark, and his wife, Elizabeth Lawson. He was educated in small schools in Edinburgh: first my Mr Barrie then Mr McIntyre on College Wynd. His time here id thought to have brought about the inspiration for Walter Scott's character: Dominie Sampson. He also began a life-long friendship with Dugald Stewart.[1]
He moved to Edinburgh in 1803 and had premises at 4 North College Street. In 1805 he set up a printworks at the Netherbow Port on the Royal Mile.[2] By 1810 he was living at a house on Carrubbers Close on the Royal Mile.[3] The following year he moved to 2 Bristo Street in the South Side.[4] He then moved consequetively to: 54 Bristo St (1811); Writers Court (1812/13); Fishmarket Close (1814–19); and Brown Square (1820-1825).[5]
In 1826 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the proposer being Sir David Brewster. He served as assistant curator to the Society's museum from 1829 to 1849.[6]
He died at his son's house, 21 Rutland Square, on Christmas Eve 24 December 1849. He is buried nearby in St Cuthbert's Churchyard at the west end of Princes Street Gardens.[7] The grave lies attached to the outer north wall of the church.
Family[edit]
He was married to Emma Wood (d.1815). Following her death he married Margaret Ritchie (d.1829).
His children included James Stark.
His cousin was the printer Adam Stark.
Publications[edit]
- Biographica Scotica (Scottish Biographical Dictionary) (1805)
- Picture of Edinburgh (1806)
- Elements of Natural History (1828)
- Edinburgh's Royal Days Entertainments (1822)
- The Second Voyage of Omai the Traveller (1822)
References[edit]
- ^ Tait's Edinburgh Magazine January 1850
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1805
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1810
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1811
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783–2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0-902-198-84-X. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
- ^ https://www.electricscotland.com/history/records/scottishrecordso35scotuoft.pdf [bare URL PDF]
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