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William Alexander (Quaker)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William Alexander (3 January 1768, Needham Market,–2 April, York 1841) was an English Quaker, businessman, educator, bookseller, publisher and author, who wrote under the name Amicus.[1]

Early life

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He was third surviving son of Dykes Alexander (senior), a Quaker elder, and Martha Biddle, a Quaker minister,[2][3] His sister was Mary Alexander, author and Quaker evangelist.[4] as well as Dykes Alexander (junior). He was educated in Wandsworth. Then in 1782 he was apprenticed to Joseph Brown (1746-1808) a miller of Luton. Then in 1786 he returned to Needham Market where he worked as a mealman.

Later life

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By 1808 he was living in York. Here he was in charge of a girls' school, in Castlegate until 1810. Then he worked as a Printer, Stationer & Bookseller in York, where he started the Annual Monitor in 1811 and established Sessions of York.[5]

His wife Ann (née Tuke) wrote and campaigned on behalf of chimney-boys.

He was appointed a Director of the Friends Provident Institution. He was made a Freeman of the City of York in 1813 and served as Chamberlain of the city in 1818.[6]

Works

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References

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  1. ^ Joseph F. Clarke (1977). Pseudonyms. BCA. p. 9.
  2. ^ "Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2".
  3. ^ "Alexander, William, 1768-1841, printer - Borthwick Catalogue".
  4. ^ "Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2".
  5. ^ "Sessions of York, printers - Borthwick Catalogue".
  6. ^ "The Descendants of un-named Alexander" (PDF). Retrieved 17 March 2020.