James Lackington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Lackington
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Portrait of James Lackington, ca.1790s
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| Born | 31 August 1746 |
| Died | 22 December 1815 (aged 69) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Bookseller |
James Lackington (born August 31, 1746, in Wellington, Somerset – died November 22, 1815, in Budleigh Salterton, Devon) was a famous bookseller. He changed how books were sold in Britain forever. He became known for not allowing people to buy books on credit in his London shop. This helped him sell books at much lower prices. He built the biggest bookstore in the United Kingdom, holding over 500,000 books!
Contents
James Lackington: The Book Revolutionist
Early Life and Big Dreams
James Lackington was one of 11 children. His father was a shoemaker. James started learning to be a cobbler (shoe repairer) when he was very young. Even as a kid, he was full of ideas. At just 10 years old, he also sold pies and cakes in the street.
James did not go to school. He taught himself to read. He and his friends would search flea markets for cheap books. They loved finding poetry, plays, and old stories. This helped him learn and grow.
The 'Temple of the Muses' Bookstore
In August 1773, James Lackington moved to London with his first wife, Nancy. When they arrived, they had very little money. James spent their last coin on a book of poems. He later wrote that a meal would be gone quickly. But a book, like the Night Thoughts, could be enjoyed for many years.
In 1774, James had saved enough money to open his own shop. He started by selling both shoes and books. He bought entire libraries and new writings from authors. He also saved books that were not selling well. He then sold these books at very low prices. James believed that books were important for knowledge and happiness. He wanted everyone to be able to afford them. This included people from all backgrounds and genders.
A Store Like No Other
By 1794, Lackington had so many books that he needed a huge new space. He moved his business to Finsbury Square with his partner, Robert Allen. James named his new store the 'Temple of the Muses'. It was so big that a horse-drawn carriage could drive around the counters!
Above the entrance, a sign read: "Cheapest Bookstore in the World." It truly was the largest bookstore in the United Kingdom. It held over half a million books. Each year, they sold about 100,000 books.
Spreading the Word
Later that year, Lackington made special coins for his customers. These coins could be used to buy things in his store. One side had Lackington's picture. The other side said "HALFPENNY of J. LACKINGTON & Co." and "CHEAPEST BOOKSELLERS IN THE WORLD."
James Lackington became quite famous in London. A flag would fly above his bookstore when he was there. He even rode in a special carriage with his motto: “Small profits do great things.” He regularly printed a list of all the books he had for sale. People from as far away as the United States ordered books from him. His first list had 12,000 different book titles!
Life After Bookselling
James Lackington had two happy marriages, first to Nancy, then to Dorcas. In 1798, he decided to retire. He moved to his estate in Gloucestershire. He became a part-time preacher for the Methodist church. He also gave money to help the Wesleyan cause. He left the 'Temple of the Muses' to his cousin, George Lackington. Sadly, in 1841, the 'Temple of the Muses' was destroyed in a fire. It was never rebuilt.
His Legacy Lives On
Even today, James Lackington is remembered. Lackington's Magazine is a Canadian online magazine. It publishes science fiction and fantasy stories. It is named after James Lackington. Each cover of the magazine shows a pile of books. This is a nod to Lackington's huge bookstore and his time period.
