Humphrey Chetham
Humphrey Chetham | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Humphrey Chetham, now in the library reading room | |
| Born | 10 July 1580 |
| Died | 1653 |
| Alma mater | Manchester Grammar School |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | Creation of Chetham's Hospital and Chetham's Library |
| Spouse | Mary Lathrop |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LWMW-6BY |
Humphrey Chetham (10 July 1580 – 1653) was an English textile merchant, financier and philanthropist, responsible for the creation of Chetham's Hospital and Chetham's Library, the oldest public library in the English-speaking world.[1][2]
Life[edit]
Chetham was born in Crumpsall, Lancashire, England, the son of Henry Chetham, a successful Manchester merchant who lived in Crumpsall Hall and his wife, Jane (c.1542–1616), the daughter of Robert Wroe of Heaton.[1] He was educated at Manchester Grammar School, and in 1597 was apprenticed to Samuel Tipping, a Manchester linen draper.
In 1605, he moved to London with his brother George and set up a partnership with him trading in various textiles.[3] The business was successful, since the fabric was bought in London and sold for a higher price in Manchester. He acquired Clayton Hall in Manchester as his home, and in 1628 was also able to buy Turton Tower from William Orrell.
In 1631, he was asked to be knighted after his huge wealth became known to the Crown, but he declined the honour, and so was fined.[4] In 1635, he became the High Sheriff of Lancashire ,[5][6] a job he was unable to refuse, and in 1643 he was forced into the position of General Treasurer of Lancashire, which he found very difficult for his age.
He also began to obtain debts, and he feared that on his death parliament would take his money. He therefore donated money to form a blue coat school for forty poor boys, which later became Chetham's Hospital and then Chetham's School of Music. He also left money to establish Chetham's Library, including funds to pay for books. More libraries were constructed later on from this money.
Legacy[edit]
After Chetham's death, in 1653, at Clayton Hall the school and library opened. Chetham's contribution is commemorated by a statue and a window in Manchester Cathedral and by a statue and mural in Manchester Town Hall. By prior arrangement, Clayton Hall was left to the surviving nephew, George.
Chetham is also remembered in the name of the Chetham Society, a text publication society concerned with the history of North West England, founded at a meeting at Chetham's Library in 1843.
Arms[edit]
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References[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b Crosby 2008.
- ^ BBC - Radio 4 You and Yours - Chetham's Library, retrieved 6 January 2008
- ^ Brazendale (1994), pp. 132–3
- ^ Cotton Town - Humphrey Chetham 1628-1653, archived from the original on 10 November 2007, retrieved 6 January 2008
- ^ Lancashire Illustrated page 79.
- ^ Frangopulo (1977), p. 25
- ^ Raines, Francis Robert; Sutton, Charles William (1903). Life of Humphrey Chetham, founder of the Chetham Hospital and Library, Manchester. Manchester: Chetham Society, New Series, 49-50. p. 65.
- ^ "Chetham's Library | The Chetham coat of arms". Chetham's Library. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
Bibliography[edit]
- Brazendale, David (1994). Lancashire's Historic Halls. Preston: Carnegie. ISBN 978-1-85936-004-0.
- Crosby, Alan G. (2008) [2004]. "Chetham, Humphrey (bap. 1580, d. 1653)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/5243. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- Frangopulo, N. J. (1977). Tradition in Action: The Historical Evolution of the Greater Manchester County. Wakefield: EP Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7158-1203-7.
- Francis Robert Raines; Charles William Sutton (1903). Life of Humphrey Chetham, founder of the Chetham Hospital and Library, Manchester. Chetham Society n.s. Vol. 49–50. Manchester: Chetham Society.
External links[edit]
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