Person    | Male  Born 2/10/1752  Died 23/9/1803

Joseph Ritson, FSA

Categories: History, Literature

Joseph Ritson, FSA

Literary antiquarian. Born Co. Durham. Trained as a lawyer and from 1780 had chambers in Gray's Inn where he specialised in conveyancing.

Odd in a number of ways: aged 20 converted to vegetarianism after reading Bernard de Mandeville's "The Fable of the Bees", 2 years later he lost a wife (married in Newcastle and then moved to London without her and never mentioned her again), used an unusual and erratic phonic spelling system.

His criticism of other writers' literary analysis was often vicious and personal but he also exposed a number of forgeries. His final years were troubled with financial difficulties and madness. He locked himself in his Gray's Inn chambers, burnt manuscripts and threatened visitors with violence, telling them he was "writing a pamphlet proving Jesus Christ an impostor". He was removed by force and taken to the home of Sir Jonathan Miles at Hoxton, where he died 2 weeks later. Buried in Bunhill burial ground.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Joseph Ritson, FSA

Commemorated ati

Bunhill burial ground - 2

In this ground are the vaults of {see the Subjects commemorated for the list ...

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Public Memorials Appeal

Public Memorials Appeal

Founded as a registered charity by Ivan Saxton who had previously founded the Sir John Barbirolli Commemoration Appeal. Public Memorials Appeal

Group, History

3 memorials
John Richard Green

John Richard Green

Historian. Born in Oxford. Took orders and was vicar of St Philip's, Stepney. Became a librarian in Lambeth and wrote a number of history books, e.g. "A History of the English People", "The Making ...

Person, History

1 memorial
Robert P. McCulloch

Robert P. McCulloch

American entrepreneur from Missouri, best known for McCulloch chainsaws and for purchasing London Bridge, which he moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona - one of the cities he founded. He purchased it...

Person, History, USA

2 memorials
Ragged School Museum

Ragged School Museum

In 1877 a ragged school was set up by Dr Barnardo at 46-50 Copperfield Road, E3, in a group of three canal-side warehouses. The school closed  in 1908 when there were enough schools in the area run...

Group, Education, History, Philanthropy

1 memorial