James Catnach

James Catnach (18 Aug 1792 – 1 Feb 1841) was a Berwick on Tweed born printer and publisher of the early 19th century. He became a major publisher of chapbooks in the Seven Dials district of London.

James Catnach was born in Berwick on Tweed on 18 Aug 1792. He received an education under a Mr Goldie, but his interest in learning was minimal and his attendance spasmodic. In his youth he seemed to spend much of his time as a shepherd.

His father John Catnach, a printer, had been declared bankrupt in 1801. This fact, together with details of the asset sale was advertised in a hand-bill, a rare copy of which is now in the National Library of Scotland.

Father managed to restart the business and in 1807 he took on two apprentices, one being his son James, and another was a lad named Mark Smith, (see later); a few months afterwards John entered into partnership with William Davison to form Catnach and Davison. Unfortunately this partnership did not appear to work, as it lasted less than two years, after which it was dissolved.

John Catnach then moved to Newcastle in 1808, taking a small shop in Newgate Street in which to restart his business..

He made some unfortunate decisions, and the result of these plus his own irregular habits (and drinking) and the way he ran his business, caused him to get into debt, until eventually he became a bankrupt and as such ended up in a debtors' prison. He had managed to send his wife and family to London together with a small wooden printing press, some type etc. and other small items which they managed to secrete away.

Once in London in 1812, the family moved into lodgings in a court off Drury Lane, where they were joined by John in 1812 on his release, but the accommodation was to prove temporary. Very shortly after, they were evicted and moved firstly to a small shop in Wardour Street, Soho (while living in Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square), followed by another move to Gerard Street, where, after falling down stairs on 29 August 1813, John Catnach was taken to St George's Hospital, Hyde Park Corner, where he died on 4 December 1813.

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