William Davison

A Davison Bible exhibited in the Bailiffgate Museum. One of the first fully annotated bibles to be issued as a part-work

William Davison (1781–1858) was born in Alnwick. He was a pharmacist, apothecary, printer, engraver/etcher, bookseller, stationer, publisher, bookbinder, librarian/owner of a circulating library, and stereotyper/stereotype founder. His main employment became printing/publishing but he was always dedicated to social reform through education.

Early life William Davison was born in Alnwick on 16 November 1781, the younger son of William (senior) and Mary. William was educated in Alnwick, and was apprenticed at the age of fourteen to Mr. Hind, a chemist in Ponteland, Newcastle. He returned to Alnwick in 1802 to set up business as a pharmacist, and in 1803 was for a short time in partnership with a printer (Joseph Perry).

Wishing to enlarge his business, William placed an advert in the "Newcastle Courant" in 1804 indicating that his pharmacy now stocked books, paper, drawing materials and musical instruments in addition to the ointments etc.

William was a very active and successful pharmacist and apothecary, and only entered into the world of printing accidentally, although he is probably best known for his printing, He actually came into printing at an opportune time, as there had only been five successful printers in Alnwick previously.

He went into partnership with John Catnach. Catnach had only recently formed a new business after his original venture had gone into bankruptcy. The partnership between Davison and John Cannich ran under the name of Davison & Catnach from 1807 to 1808, Davison's role appeared to be primarily that of financier whilst Catnach provided the contacts and technical expertise. The arrangement obviously didn't work as intended for either one or both the parties, and in less than 2 years it was dissolved leaving Davison publishing under his own account. But their edition of "The Poetic Works of Robert Burns" enjoyed such financial success as to warrant Davison issuing his new edition shortly after they parted. A descriptive and historical view of Alnwick, the County Town of Northumberland, and of Alnwick Castle, Alwick & Hulne Abbeys, Brislee Tower, The Borough of Alnwick, Etc.. 1822 The Northumbrian Minstrel – 1811

Printed and produced by Davison Prospectus for the History of Alnwick (Second edition) – requesting anyone with any information to contact the publisher – of 4 pages – 1822 Prospectus for a Prayer Book: "In the Press, and speedily will be published Price 6d – requesting suggestions for inclusion – 1817 The Poetic Works of Robert Burns – 270 pages – 1808 Prospectus for "The History of Northumberland – 8 pages – 1820 Metrical Legends of Northumberland: containing the traditions of Dunstanborough Castle, and other poetical romances A History of the Earth and Animated Nature by M. de Buffon, Goldsmith, and others The Heart of Mid-Lothian – 12 pages – cost 1 penny Day, a Pastoral in Three Parts, viz, Morning, Noon, and Evening to which is added "The Stubborn Dame" – 36 pages A natural history of reptiles, serpents and insects – 36 pages Poetical Works – numerous editions and volumes between 1812 and c1817 Poems and Songs c1828

Caricatures possibly engraved by Davison Caricature No.5 – Jew purchasing old Clothes Caricature No.6 – unknown Caricature No.7 – unknown Caricature No.9 – unknown Caricature No.12 – London Sportsmen (Shooting Flying (birds ???)) Caricature No.13 – London Sportsmen Marking Game Caricature No.14 – London Sportsmen Recharging Caricature No.15 – London sportsmen finding a hare Caricature No.23 – unknown Caricature No.26 – How to do Things by Halves Caricature No.28 – Druid and Highlander Caricature No.29 – Columbus breaking the Egg Caricature No.30 – unknown Caricature No.33 – unknown Caricature No.34 – unknown Caricature No.?? – Out of Place and Unpension'd Caricature No.?? – Slight of Hand by a Monkey or the Lady's Head Unloaded Caricature No.?? – The country tooth drawer Caricature No.?? – Let us all be unhappy together Caricature No.?? – Idleness Caricature No.?? – Untitled Caricature No.?? – Laplanders, English, Americans, Africans, Chinese and Hottentots Caricature No.?? – Out of Place and Unpension'd All the above were produced between 1812 and 1817