Record

CollectionGB 0231 University of Aberdeen, Special Collections
LevelItem
Ref NoMS 30/2/545
TitleWilliam Creech to James Beattie from London
Date17 May 1787
Extent1 Item
Administrative HistoryWilliam Creech [1745-1815] Bookseller in Edinburgh. He attended Edinburgh University, and originally intended to enter medicine, but was apprenticed to bookseller Alexander Kincaid in 1764, becoming Kincaid partner when the latter's partnership with John Bell dissolved in 1771 - just after the firm had published the first edition of the first book of the Minstrel. His shop became a well-known meeting place, and he published the work of many of the Scottish literati. Beattie had a long and generally happy relationship with him from 1771, both personally and in business matters
DescriptionCreech doubtful about publishing Campbell's book [Gospels]. Fears it will command only limited sale. Literary property precarious. Sheridan got more for sing-song opera in three acts than Adam Smith did for Wealth of Nations, which costs him fifteenth years labour. But asks Beattie and Campbell's valuation of manuscript, and Creech will give his
Access StatusOpen
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