Henry Perkins

Henry Perkins (c.1777–1855) was an English brewer, known as a bibliophile.

Early life He was the son of John Perkins (died 1812), and his wife Amelia, John being a partner in the Anchor Brewery, Southwark with the Quaker group of David Barclay of Youngsbury, Robert Barclay, and Silvanus Bevan III, Amelia's relations. The Thrale family were involved in the sale, and Henry and his brother Frederick Perkins (1780–1860) have been identified as the sons of John Perkins who were tutored by Samuel Parr, at the expense of Hester Thrale. He had a 12.5% share, in what was a lucrative business, but was not very active in its management. Sophia married in 1833 Thomas Paley. Selina (died 1858) married in 1837 John Scriven (1808–1878).

The son, Algernon, married in 1835 Sophia Clementina Soltau, daughter of William Soltau. He left no children, and under his will the main beneficiaries, besides his wife who survived him, were his two surviving sisters, and his nephews Raymond South Paley and John Bagot Scriven.

The Perkins Library History Perkin's interest in books has been attributed to publicity surrounding the sale of the 3rd Duke of Roxburghe's library in 1812/3. It was not until 1823, however, that he began to establish a personal collection at Springfield, his then residence near Tooting, Surrey. Perkins also appointed Messrs. John and Arthur Arch (of 61 Cornhill, London) to supply rare and valuable books.

His brother Frederick began to collect Shakespearean works around 1825, and his collection was eventually sold by Sotheby's in 1889.

Later life and death Perkins moved to Hanworth Park, Middlesex around 1836. He died at Dover on 15 April 1855, and his library went to his son, Algernon Perkins, who died in 1870.