William Miller (British publisher)

William Richard Beckford Miller (25 March 1769 – 25 October 1844) was one of the leading

English publishers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, known for his popular and expensive titles. He began publishing on his own in 1790 at Bond Street in London. In 1812 he retired, aged 42, selling his business and 50 Albemarle Street, his London home, to John Murray, the second publisher of that name.

William Miller was born at Bungay, Suffolk, on 25 March 1769, the only son of Thomas Miller (1731–1804), a local bookseller and antiquarian, and Sally Kingsbury (1741-1773) of Waveney House, Bungay, daughter of a maltster. As William Miller tells in an unpublished memoir, his paternal grandfather was "a respectable Paviour", who completely repaved the streets of Norwich and Bury St. Edmund's.

When a youth William showed a talent and a taste for drawing, and Sir Joshua Reynolds advised that he enter the Royal Academy as a student. His stay at the Academy proved short. In 1787 he was placed in Hookham's publishing house.

In 1790 Willaim Miller commenced business on his own account in Bond Street, London. The first book he issued was his uncle Dr. Edward Miller's Select Portions of the New Version of the Psalms of David, with Music.

A series of publications followed in large quarto, illustrating the costumes of various countries. Furnished with descriptions in English and French, they brought Miller considerable profit. Among his other successful ventures were Hewlett's Views of Lincolnshire, John Stoddart's Remarks upon Scotland and Forster's edition of the Arabian Nights Entertainments, illustrated by Robert Smirke. In 1804 Miller removed to a larger house in Albemarle Street, where he continued until his retirement from the publishing business. In 1812 miller sold the premises, copyrights and business to John Murray for the considerable sum of £3,822 pounds, 12 shillings and sixpence.

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