CERL Thesaurus

Wodhull, Michael

Record IDcnp01881972

URIhttp://data.cerl.org/thesaurus/cnp01881972

Biographical Data1740 - 1816

Last Edit2024-02-08

General Note

Classical scholar, book collector and poet. Born Thenford, Northamptonshire, 1740. Inherited extensive estates in Northamptonshire on his father's death, placed under guardianship of Joseph Clarke of Welton. Educated at William Cleaver's school at Twyford, then Winchester School, matriculated Brasenose Coll., Oxford 1758, but did not take a degree. Began collecting books in the late 1750s. Published Ode to Criticism 1761, and printed three other poetic pamphlets in the 1760s. Constructed a mansion at Thenford, completed 1765, also occupied a town house at Berkeley Sq., London. Printed his Poems 1772 as presents. First translator into English of all the extant writings of Euripides, published 1782. Sheriff of Northamptonshire 1783. Journeyed to France 1803 to visit the great libraries of Paris, while there suffered a paralytic stroke. Detained in Paris but released June 1803 due to his age. Revised and enlarged edition of his Poems published 1804. Particularly well informed on French printing in the 16th century. Died in the library at Thenford in 1816. Legal battle after his death over his estate, which had been left to his wife's sister by Wodhull's will. An individual claimed to be his heir-at-law and alleged that he had returned from France an imbecile and his will was a forgery. Sold a considerable part of his library in his lifetime, with two major sales in March 1801 and March-April 1803. The rest of the library, comprising 4000 volumes, remained at Thenford for 80 years. Disposed of in January 1886 by Sotheby's in 2804 lots, followed by a sale of charters, deeds and autograph material in November 1886. His books are highly prized - many on large paper and vellum, finely bound in russia and morocco, usually bearing his armorial stamp.

Provenienz: M. Wodhull Dec. 16. 1768

The Library of Michael Wodhull (1740-1816), Dibdin’s ‘Orlando’, poet and the first translator into English of the extant works of Euripides, is well-known [Sources: Incunabula Project blog. Cambridge University Library]

book collector and poet. Oxford Biography Index Number 101029818

Poet, translator and book collector. See 'Catalogue of the extensive & valuable library collected at the end of the last and beginning of the present century by Michael Wodhull ... the property of J. E. Severne, Esq. M.P., of Thenford House, Banbury, Northamptonshire. Which will be sold by auction, by Messrs Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge ... 11th of January 1886, and nine following days'.

Bibliophile et premier traducteur des oeuvres d'Euripide en anglais (1782). Issu des collèges de Winchester et Brasenose (Oxford).

More Information

Further Biographical Data1740-1816

Dates of Activity[Acquisitions:] 18e siècle ; 1771

ActivityBüchersammler

Dichter

Übersetzer

Geographic NoteGroßbritannien

GB (iso3166)

Sign, Mark, Device etc.Ex-libris manuscrit de Michael Wodhull "M. Wodhull Apr. 29th 1771" sur la page de garde avec ses notes sur le prix du volume acquis à la vente Baker, le prix de la reliure de Baumgarten et une date en fin de volume "May 25th 1771" – Sign

Online ResourceOxford Dictionary of National Biography

Names

HeadingWodhull, Michael
used in: The University of Aberdeen Library

Wodhull, Michael
used in: Bavarian State Library, Munich (Germany); Integrated Authority File (GND), Germany; British Library: English Short Title Catalogue - AACR2 Heading, London (United Kingdom); British Library: English Short Title Catalogue - GK Heading, London (United Kingdom); Common Library Network (GBV), Göttingen (Germany); University of Glasgow Library, Incunabula Project

Wodhull, Michael, 1740-1816
used in: Bibliothèque municipale, Lyon (France)

Variant NameGentleman of Oxford

Wodhull, Mr., Michael

Sources

Found inProv. Reg. Notes (See Ricci, English Collectors, p81-83). — LOC. — DNB. — BSB-Ink. — Dictionary of National Biography. — LCAuth 290c 1. — NUC=Wodhull, Michael, 1740-1816. — GK55

Imprint SourcesT145756: his Poems, 1772 tp=By Michael Wodhull, esq.

Wodhull, Michael: Poems. - 1804

Books OwnedLa plaisante et delectable histoire de Gerileon d'Angleterre. A Lyon : Par Benoist Rigaud, 1581-1589 [Bibliothèque Municipale de Lyon: Rés 813432]

Portrait of Michael Wodhull (1740-1816), English book collector, translator and poet.
[Engraver Edward Harding, after William Nelson Gardiner / Google Books -- Public domain -- http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Michael Wodhull Harding.jpeg]