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William Mayhew

1746 – 1785

American librarian

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About William Mayhew

Lived 1746 – 1785 (aged 39). William Mayhew was a librarian.

William Mayhew (7 July 1746 – 13 July 1785) was librarian of the Harvard Library from 1769-1772.

Mayhew, the son of Zachariah and Elizabeth Mayhew, was born on Martha's Vineyard, probably in the town of Chilmark, 7 July 1746. Entering Harvard College at the age of seventeen, he graduated in the class of 1767, and before taking his second degree, he began to serve as Librarian. He held this position, at least nominally for three years (1769-1772); for the last two years his successor James Winthrop seems to have acted for him. Returning to Martha's Vineyard, he married Peggy, by whom he had three children.

He was appointed, 23 April 1772, sheriff of Dukes County. About 1783, the town of Hudson, N. Y., was founded by people from Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Providence. William Mayhew was either one of this party of emigrants or soon followed his townspeople to their new home. In 1786, we find him an alderman in the first common council of Hudson. He could not have held this office long, for he died 13 July of that year.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Education
Harvard College, Harvard University
Positions held
Harvard University Librarian

People in William Mayhew's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Mayhew's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Mayhew?

American librarian

When was William Mayhew born?

William Mayhew was born on 7 July 1746.

When did William Mayhew die?

William Mayhew died on 13 July 1785.

What was William Mayhew's occupation?

William Mayhew was a librarian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Mayhew

· Wikidata: Q58418214

· DBpedia: William Mayhew (librarian)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Mayhew. https://biography.guide/william-mayhew/

MLA: "William Mayhew." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-mayhew/.

Chicago: "William Mayhew." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-mayhew/.

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