PRICE, JOHN (1734-1813), Bodley's librarian, Oxford;
b. in 1734 at Tŵr, Llangollen, son of the Rev. Robert Price of Llandegla, Denbs. He was educated at Jesus College, Oxford, where he matriculated 26 March 1754. He graduated B.A. 1757, M.A. 1760, and B.D. 1768. He was appointed janitor of the Bodleian in 1757; sub-librarian, 1765; acting librarian, 1765; and Bodley's librarian in 1768; and held this post until his death. He was curate of Northleigh, Oxon., from 1766 to 1773, and curate of Wilcote in the same county, 1775. He was presented to the living of Wollaston and Alvington, Glos., in 1782, and to that of Llangattock, Brecknock, in 1798. He was elected F.S.A. in 1797, about which time he migrated to Trinity College, to which he made many benefactions. He resided at S. Giles; d. 12 Aug. 1813, and was buried at Wilcote. He wrote A Short Account of Holyhead in the Isle of Anglesey, 1783. This was No. 10 of Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica. He also contributed an article to Archaeologia, vol. 8, entitled ‘An Account of a bronze image of Roman workmanship.’ Many of his letters were published in Nichols, Illustrations of Literary History of the 18th Century, together with the only known portrait of him.
Bibliography:
- D.N.B. and authorities therein cited;
- N.L.W. MS. 9270.
Author:
John James Jones, M.A., (1892-1957), Aberystwyth
