Benjamin Motte Sr. (died December 1710) was a London publisher and father of

Benjamin Motte Benjamin Motte (; November 1693 – 12 March 1738J. J. Caudle ''Dictionary of National Biography'') was a London publisher and son of Benjamin Motte, Sr. Motte published many works and is well known for his publishing of Jonathan Swift's ''Gulli ...

, Andrew Motte, and Charles Motte.

Background

Little is known on the exact background of Benjamin Motte Sr., but his last record as a publisher is from 1712, when he was still registered with his son, Charles, as his apprentice, although he died two years prior in St Botoloph's Parish, London. His library of works was sold the next year. He began publishing in the 1680s and was the printer for the Parish Clerks Company from 1694 - 1709, producing such works like the ''Parish-Clerk's Guide''. Besides being the master to his son, Motte was master to Robert Tooke, of the same Tooke family his son, Benjamin, apprenticed for.

Publications

Motte's edition of

Andrea Pozzo Andrea Pozzo (; Latinized version: ''Andreas Puteus''; 30 November 1642 – 31 August 1709) was an Italian Jesuit brother, Baroque painter, architect, decorator, stage designer, and art theoretician. Pozzo was best known for his grandiose fresc ...

's ''Rules and Examples of Perspective Proper for Painters and Architects'' (1707) was the first edition of the work in English. It was translated by John James and illustrated by John Sturt. The work was also known as "John Sturt's 'Masterpiece'", and John Sturt's presented the work to Queen Anne as "a specimen of English engraving".Harris p. 372 James Harris claimed that the work was "the most elaborate and expensive architectural book ever produced in this country". Other works published by Motte Sr.: * William Hunt's ''Clavis Stereometriae'' (1691) *

Ambrosius Theodosius Macrobius Macrobius Ambrosius Theodosius, usually referred to as Macrobius (fl. AD 400), was a Roman provincial who lived during the early fifth century, during late antiquity, the period of time corresponding to the Later Roman Empire, and when Latin was ...

's ''Opera Accedunt...'' (1707) - with Mary Clark *

Michel Maittaire Michel Maittaire (also Michael; 1668 – 7 September 1747) was a French-born classical scholar and bibliographer in England, and a tutor to Lord Philip Stanhope. He edited an edition of Quintus Curtius Rufus, later owned by Thomas Jefferson. His ...

's ''Stephanorum Historia, Vitas ipsorum ac Libros Complectens'' (1709) *

Samuel von Pufendorf Samuel von Pufendorf (; ; 8 January 1632 – 26 October 1694) was a German people, German jurist, political philosopher, economist and historian. He was born Samuel Pufendorf and Nobility, ennobled in 1694; he was made a baron by Charles XI of ...

's ''Works'' * Samuel Wesley's ''The Life of Christ'' (1693) and ''Elegies'' (1695)

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Motte, Benjamin Sr. 17th-century births 1710 deaths British printers