Benjamin Heath Malkin

Benjamin Heath Malkin
Benjamin Heath Malkin by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey, pencil, circa 1818
Born	23 March 1769 London
Died	26 May 1842 Cowbridge
Residence	Britain
Academic background
Alma mater	Harrow School
Academic work
Main interests	William Blake, history of South Wales, Gil Blas
Notable works	Essays on Subjects connected with Civilization, A Father's Memoirs of his Child

Benjamin Heath Malkin ((1769-03-23)23 March 1769, London - 26 May 1842(1842-05-26) (aged 73) at Cowbridge) was a British scholar and writer notable for his connection to the artist and poet William Blake.

Malkin was educated at Harrow School and Cambridge University, receiving his MA in 1802 and his doctorate in 1810. In 1795 he published Essays on Subjects connected with Civilization (C. Dilly, London). From 1809 to 1828 he was headmaster of Bury St Edmunds Free School, where he taught a number of pupils who would later go on to become Cambridge Apostles. In 1829, Malkin became the first professor of History in the newly formed London University. During his scholarly career he published both historical and creative works on many subjects, including the history of South Wales, a translation of Gil Blas, and the play Almahide and Hamet. He contributed biographies to Rees's Cyclopædia.

Today he is remembered for his 1806 book A Father's Memoirs of his Child, which leads off with a 48-page introduction consisting of a dedication to his friend Thomas Johnes and the earliest biographical account of Blake. Blake had designed (though it was engraved by Robert Cromek) the frontispiece depicting Malkin's deceased son. G. E. Bentley suggests that Malkin met Blake in 1803, soon after Blake returned to London from his three years in Felpham. It is also possible that the two men were acquainted via the publisher Joseph Johnson for whom Blake had worked. William Godwin reports meeting Malkin at dinner at Horne Tooke's in 1796 and 1797 and at Fuseli's Milton Gallery in 1800. It is therefore likely that Blake and Malkin shared radical sympathies. Malkin also lived close to Blake's patron Thomas Butts in Hackney, London and knew George Cumberland, another friend.