Anthony Askew (1722–1774) was an English physician and is best known for having been a book collector. His collection was purchased by the British Museum and books purchased by George III of Great Britain were added to the King's Library.
Overview
Anthony Askew (1722–1774) was an English physician and is best known for having been a book collector. His collection was purchased by the British Museum and books purchased by George III of Great Britain were added to the King's Library.
Life and work
Askew was born in 1722 in Kendal, Westmorland, the son of Dr. Adam Askew, a well-known physician of Newcastle and Ann Crackenthorp. He was baptised in Kendal on 7 May 1722. The family moved to Newcastle in 1725.
His early education was at Sedbergh School and The Royal Free Grammar School in Newcastle upon Tyne. According to a fellow physician, he was terrified of the formidable Head Master, Richard Dawes.
He was married twice. He first married Margaret Swinburn; they had no children. The second time to Elizabeth Holford, by whom he had twelve children, six girls and six boys. Elizabeth was born in 1734 and died on 2 August 1773.
