HOOPER, Samuel (1733?-1793) — London
Bookseller, printseller, mapseller, publisher. Published Frédérick de Neuhoff, ‘Memoirs of Corsica : containing the natural and political history of that important island’ 1768, with a map; John Abraham Collet, A compleat map of North-Carolina from an actual survey 1770 (2-sheet), engraved by John Bayly (see BME 2011); Joseph Smith Speer, ‘The West-India pilot : containing piloting directions’ 1771, with twenty-six maps engraved by Bayly, Richard Prinald and John Gibson (see BME 2011); John Henry Grose, ‘A voyage to the East Indies : containing authentic accounts of the Mogul government’ 1772, with maps and plans not included in earlier editions; Joseph Smith Speer, To his most excellent Majesty George the III … this chart of part of the West Indies 1773 (8-sheet), engraved by Bayly; Francis Grose, ‘The antiquities of England and Wales’ 1772-1776, with plans, and later editions 1783-1787 with maps originally by John Seller 1 (see BME 2011); John Byres, Plan of the island of Dominica laid down by actual survey 1776 (3-sheet), engraved by Bayly, with ‘References to the plan of the island of Dominica’ 1777; John Byres, Plan of the island of Saint Vincent laid down by actual survey 1776, engraved by Bayly, with a reference booklet 1777; John Byres, Plan of the island of Tobago laid down from actual survey 1776, engraved by Bayly, with ‘A summary account of the island’ 1777; John Byres, Plan of the island of Bequia, laid down by actual survey 1776, engraved by Bayly; Henry Lloyd, ‘The history of the late war in Germany’ 1781, with maps; John Phillips, ‘A treatise on inland navigation : illustrated with a whole-sheet plan, delineating the course of an intended navigable canal from London to Norwich and Lynn’ 1785; Francis Grose, ‘The antiquities of Scotland’ 1789-1791, with a map, etc. Also published music, etc. Issued a catalogue, ‘A list of prints and books’ appended to the 1771 edition of Speer (above).
Born about 1733, he married (1) Sarah Follows (1734?-1765?) 5 Oct 1755 at her parish church of St. Mary Magdalene, Richmond, and (2) Mary Plaisted (1750?-1799), daughter of the cartographer Bartholomew Plaisted, at Haddington, East Lothian, 29 Sep 1768 — papers relating to a 1779 court case between the two families are in NA. In partnership with Alexander? Morley 1756-1758, Morley continuing alone at the Gay’s Head address until at least 1762. He was among the retailers of the abortive Richard Bennett atlas of 1761 (see BME 2011). In partnership with William Davis 1777-1778. Declared bankrupt in 1778, a fact noted by his author Francis Grose, who complained of Hooper’s dilatory ways, but the situation was resolved by early the following year. Grose had apparently made a free gift to Hooper of the multiple drawings which illustrate ‘The antiquities of England and Wales’, “but it should not be forgotten, that the great success of this work enabled Hooper, with unparalleled generosity, to present Mrs. Grose with a bank note for 800£” (Belfast News-Letter, 7 June 1791). Elected a member of the Royal Society of Arts 21 Oct 1772. His premises at the corner of Arundel Street were taken over by John Cary 1 (see BME 2011). Insurance policy dated 1786 in LMA. He died suddenly 20 Feb 1793 and was buried 23 Feb 1793 at St. George Bloomsbury. His widow continued the business — “The nobility, gentry and others, are respectfully informed, that the business is carried on as usual by Mrs. Mary Hooper, who hopes for a continuance of their favours” (London Gazette, 3 Aug 1793). She later took former Hooper apprentice and future son-in-law William Wigstead (1773-1825) into partnership until her death in 1799.
At Gay’s Head, near Beaufort Buildings, Strand — 1755-1758
East corner of New Church, Strand — 1763-1772
25 Ludgate Hill — 1772-1778
12 Dukes Court, Mews Gate — 1779
Corner of May’s Buildings, (41) St. Martin’s Lane — 1781
Corner of Arundel Street, Strand — 1781-1782
212 High Holborn, facing Southampton Street — 1783-1793
Apprentices: Richard Marriner 1758 (£5); William Wigstead 1788 (£105).
Adams. BBTI. BM. BNA. Chubb. Hodson (1997). Humphries & Smith. LG. LHD. LMA. Maxted. Maxted (1983). Maxted (1985). NA. Moir. Tooley.