Benjamin Heath

Benjamin Heath, 1738Benjamin Heath, D.C.L. (10 April 170413 September 1766) was an English classical scholar and bibliophile.

Life He was born at Exeter, the eldest of three sons of Benjamin Heath, a wealthy merchant, and Elizabeth Kelland. He devoted himself mainly to travel and book collecting. He became town clerk of his native city in 1752, and held the office till his death.

Works In 1763 the ministry of Lord Bute imposed an excise tax of 4 shillings per hogshead on cider and perry on Britain's cider-producing agricultural counties. In Devon, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire protest meetings were common, and violent attacks occurred against the ministry. In 1763 soon after the enactment of the new tax, Heath published the pamphlet The Case of the County of Devon with respect to the consequences of the new Excise Duty on Cyder and Perry advocating the repeal of the cider tax in Devonshire, and his endeavours led to success three years later. and George, headmaster of Eton (1796–1802). His collection of rare classical works formed the nucleus of his son Benjamin's famous library (Bibliotheca Heathiana).