About James Heard Pulman
Lived 1821 – 1900 (aged 78–79). James Heard Pulman was a librarian and barrister.
James Heard Pulman (1821 – 22 April 1900) was an English barrister and librarian who was the second librarian at the House of Lords Library, serving from 1861–97.
Pulman was born in Westminster, the eldest son of officer-at-arms James Pulman. He was educated at Eton College and Lincoln's Inn. He was called to the bar in 1849.
He was assistant librarian to John Frederic Leary, 1852–61, and succeeded Leary after his death in August 1861.
A barrister by training, Pulman's tenure as Lords librarian was marked by his lack of interest in historical collections. He was notably "reluctant" to acquire any works that were not legal volumes or Parliamentary papers." His assistant librarian, writer William Thoms, the founder of founded Notes and Queries, was much more eager to acquire valuable historical manuscripts, but was discouraged by Pulman. Pulman's reluctance to expand the collection beyond the law and Parliamentary books was so great that in 1875 "he had to be ordered to resume the purchasing of important historical works."
Pulman retired in 1897 and was succeeded by Sandford Arthur Strong. He died in Wandsworth, aged 79.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was James Heard Pulman?
English barrister and librarian
When was James Heard Pulman born?
James Heard Pulman was born in 1821 in Westminster.
When did James Heard Pulman die?
James Heard Pulman died on 22 April 1900 in Wandsworth.
What was James Heard Pulman's occupation?
James Heard Pulman was a librarian and barrister.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: James Heard Pulman
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Heard Pulman. https://biography.guide/james-heard-pulman/
MLA: "James Heard Pulman." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-heard-pulman/.
Chicago: "James Heard Pulman." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-heard-pulman/.
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