Gerbrand Harkes

Gerbrand Harkes (also Garbrand Herks, Harks, Harcks, etc.) (fl. 1538–1593) was a Dutch Protestant who became a bookseller and dealer in manuscripts in England.[1]

Life

Harks was born around 1510 in the Low Countries. He was an early convert to Calvinism and in 1538 fled to Protestant England, where he settled as a bookseller at Bulkeley Hall, since incorporated into Oriel College, Oxford.[2] At the beginning of Edward VI's reign he purchased many libraries from the suppressed monasteries, some of which subsequently entered the Bodleian Library. As early as 1551 he regularly supplied books to Magdalen College. In addition to his bookselling business he also sold stationery, becoming official stationer to the University, and in 1546 was licensed to sell wine as well.

In 1556 Harkes's house was a meeting place for Protestants who, on account of the Marian Persecutions, worshipped in a cellar there.

In 1593, Harks was still alive, as he acquired five shops, two cellars, and two acres of meadow.[2] His will, made on 5 August 1592, was proved on 3 May 1596.[3]

Family

Harkes had a number of sons, some of whom carried on the bookselling business in the later years of the century.

Four members of the third generation of the same family are well known.

As late as the end of the seventeenth century the family name was often written Garbrand, alias Herks.

References

  1. 1 2 Wright, Stephen. "Garbrand, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/10342. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. 1 2 Niall C.E.J. O’Brien, Some notes on Garbrand Harks and family of Oxford, 17 July 2014
  3. The National Archives; Kew, England. « Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers Class: PROB 11; Piece: 87 » at Ancestry.com. « England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858» (subscription required) retrieved 10 October 2015
  4. Bloxam, J R ed «A register of the members of St. Mary Magdalen College, Oxford, from the foundation of the college» iv, p232 at https://archive.org retrieved 11 October 2015
  5. PROB 11/178/340 « Will of Toby Garbrand, Batchelor in Divinity and Vicar of Findon, Sussex. 13 November 1638 » at http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D876621 retrieved 11 October 2015
Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Garbrand, John (1542-1589)". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. 

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