John Crowder

Early life John Crowder was born circa March 1757 in Wraysbury, Buckinghamshire (now part of Berkshire). He was the eldest son of John Crowder, of Wraysbury, who was a paper maker and maker of playing cards, and Frances Jarman. He was baptised on 17th March 1757 at Wraysbury.

Career as a printer He served his apprenticeship to a printer, and at the expiration of his time, went to London, and obtained a situation in his majesty's printing office, then under the control of William Strahan.

About 1780, he obtained an engagement in the printing office of Francis Blyth, printer and part proprietor of the Public Ledger, a daily morning paper, and the London Packet, an evening paper, published three times a week. Both these papers had been for some years supported by the productions of Goldsmith, Kelly, and others. This engagement, in which Crowder took a very active part, continued until 1787, the time of Blyth's death, when Crowder, who the year before had married Blyth's niece, Mary Annabella James (died 6 November 1823), succeeded to the management of the whole concern. This he carried on for upwards of thirty years. During this period, was frequently employed in printing valuable works for the booksellers.

Public office He finally left the business in 1820, when he had amassed a considerable fortune by some successful speculations. Residing, as he had during almost the whole of his life, in the ward of Farringdon Within, most notably at 12 Warwick Square