James Duckett

James Duckett (died 19 April 1602) was an English Catholic layman and martyr, executed at Tyburn for printing Catholic devotionals.

Life James Duckett was born at Gilfortrigs in the parish of Skelsmergh in Westmorland at an unknown date. Brought up a Protestant, he was converted by a book: a friend of his, Peter Mauson lent him The Foundation of the Catholic Religion while Duckett was serving his apprenticeship to a book printer in London, and he decided to become a Catholic. He was twice imprisoned for not attending the Protestant services, first in Bridewell, then in the compter. Both times his employer interceded and got him freed. But then the employer asked James to find a job elsewhere.

He was received into the Catholic Church by an old priest named Weekes who was imprisoned in the Gatehouse at Westminster. Two or three years later, about 1590, he married a Catholic widow, Anne Hart. Out of his twelve years of married life, nine were spent in prison for his new faith.

James Duckett's son was the John Duckett who was Prior of the English Carthusians at Nieuwpoort in Flanders from 1644 to 1647. He related that on the way to Tyburn his father was handed a cup of wine, which he drank, and told his wife to drink to Peter Bullock and to forgive him. When she declined, he chided her gently until she did. On arrival at Tyburn Tree James kissed and embraced Bullock, beseeching him to die in the Catholic faith, without success.

Veneration James Duckett is regarded as a patron intercessor of booksellers and publishers.