WRIGHT, Gabriel (1740-1804) — London
Mathematical & optical instrument-maker. Produced globes in association with William Bardin (see BME 2011), as well as compasses, quadrants, etc. Produced Wright’s new improved celestial globe 1782, with Bardin, etc. He wrote ‘The description and use, of a new constructed octant, sextant and quintant’ ca.1780, also sold by Benjamin Martin (see BME 2011); ‘The description and use of a new universal dial : or, portable equatorial instrument’ 1781; ‘The description and use of both the globes, the armillary sphere, and orrery’ 1783, co-published with Bardin; ‘The theory and construction of Hadley’s quadrant demonstrated’ 1785; ‘The description and use of a new constructed sextant and quintant’ 1787; revised and enlarged the earlier work of William Herbert (see BME 2011) and William Nichelson as ‘A new nautical directory for the East-India and China navigation’ 1804. Some idea of the range of his stock is given in a list produced at a Middlesex Sessions trial of items stolen from his and William Gilbert’s premises in 1790 — “One pair of magnetts val 16sh. One box val 2sh. One plated boat compass val 20sh. Four fish skin telescope cases val 4sh. One two feet box folding rule val 1sh. Six back sectors val 11sh. Four box scales val 2sh. One ivory scale val 2sh. Three pair of steel spectacles val 10sh. One pocket thermometer val 14sh. One fish skin case val 2sh. One small Wilsons microscope val 13sh. One fish skin case val 2s/6d. An opera glass val 14sh. One morocco case val 2s/6d. One brass achromatic perspective glass val 12sh. Two Claude Loraine glasses val 7sh. and one box folding rule val 2sh”.
Reported to have been born in 1740 and perhaps the Gabriel Wright baptised at Wingrave, Buckinghamshire, 11 Jan 1740, the son of Richard and Elizabeth Wright. Thought to have been an apprentice of Benjamin Martin (see BME 2011) and was certainly working with and resident with Martin on 30 May 1770 when testifying at an Old Bailey trial as the victim of a pickpocket. Became a freeman of the Girdlers’ Company by redemption in 1783, taking livery in 1786. Elected to membership of the Society of Arts 28 Jan 1784. Worked in partnership with Henry Gregory 2 (see BME 2011) from 1781, with the addition of William Gilbert until the partnership was formally dissolved 6 Jun 1789, Gregory leaving Wright and Gilbert to continue alone. Insurance policy in all three names dated 1789 in LMA. Wright continued with Gilbert until 1803 or 1804, with Wright’s former apprentice Benjamin Hooke an additional partner 1793-1801. Insurance policies of 1793-1794 for William Gilbert, Gabriel Wright and Benjamin Hooke of 148 Leadenhall Street, optical and mathematical instrument makers and publishers of the East India Directories in LMA. He married Mary Thorp at Heston, Middlesex, 14 Aug 1783, and a daughter, Elizabeth, was baptised at St. Mary Islington, 29 May 1791. His will (PROB 11/1405/226) made out in late 1803 and probated 27 Feb 1804 makes mention of a brother, John Wright of Soho Square, Wright’s daughter, still a minor, and a servant of long standing. It was witnessed by William Gilbert and his son of the same name.
At Mr. Martin’s, Fleet Street — 1770
36 Little Britain — 1780-1781
The Navigation Warehouse, 148 Leadenhall Street — 1781-1795
— Islington (home) — 1791-1796
71 Chapel Street, Pentonville (home) — 1802-1804
Apprentice: Benjamin Hooke 1786.
Alexander. Clifton. LG. LHD. LMA. NA. OB. Tooley.