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Elizabeth Watts (printer)

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Elizabeth Watts
Died1794
NationalityIrish
Known forbookselling

Elizabeth Watts or Mrs Lynch (died 1794) was an Irish printer, stationer, and "bookseller to the courts of law".[1]

Biography

The early life of Elizabeth Watts is unknown, the first record of her is when she succeeded her first husband as printer and bookseller, Richard Watts, after his death in November 1762. The couple had four sons and a daughter. On 14 February 1768 she married the curate of St Werburgh's, Dublin and bookseller, the Reverend Stewart Lynch (died June 1788).[1][2][3]

Operating under the name Mrs Lynch, Watts continued to operate her bookselling and lending business from 6 Skinner Row. From 1762 she held sole rights to run a bookstall in the hall of the Four Courts. She focused on selling books regarding legal matters, including an edition of Blackstone's Law Tracts (1767), after which she sold a range of Irish and English legal texts, and after 1778 she printed in partnership with Daniel Graisberry. She sold imported stationery from the Netherlands and France, which led to her signing a memorial in November 1773 objecting to additional duties on foreign paper at the Irish house of commons.[1][2][4]

Watts died in January 1794, with her son Henry Watts continuing her business until his death in September 1794.[1][3] Another of her sons, John Watts, entered Trinity College Dublin and graduated with a BA in 1790.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d O'Riordan, Turlough (2009). "Watts (Lynch), Elizabeth". In McGuire, James; Quinn, James (eds.). Dictionary of Irish Biography. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  2. ^ a b c Pollard, Mary (2000). A dictionary of members of the Dublin book trade, 1550-1800 : based on the records of the Guild of St. Luke the Evangelist, Dublin. London: Bibliographical Society. pp. 597–598. ISBN 9780948170119.
  3. ^ a b Franz, Anna. "Evidence of Women: Women As Printers, Donors, and Owners of Law Texts". Yale Law School. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  4. ^ Roden, Kate. "Tarlton Law Library: Exhibit - Early Women Law Printers in Tarlton's Collection: Elizabeth Lynch". tarlton.law.utexas.edu. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
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