Anthony Askew

English physician and book collector

Anthony Askew (1722 – 1774) was an English physician and renowned book collector known for his extensive collection of classical literature and manuscripts. His library was considered one of the most significant private collections of his time.

Early life and education

Anthony Askew

Anthony Askew was born in 1722 in Kendal, Westmorland, England. He was the son of Dr. Adam Askew, a prominent physician. Askew was educated at Sedbergh School and later attended Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he developed a keen interest in the classics and ancient texts. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1742 and subsequently pursued a medical degree, earning his Doctor of Medicine in 1750.

Medical career

After completing his education, Askew practiced medicine in London. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1753. Despite his medical career, Askew is best remembered for his contributions to the field of bibliography and his passion for collecting rare books and manuscripts.

Book collection

Askew's collection was renowned for its breadth and depth, encompassing works from ancient Greece and Rome, as well as rare medieval manuscripts. He was particularly interested in Homer, Aristotle, and Hippocrates, and his library included many first editions and unique copies of these authors' works.

Askeviana

Askew's collection was so extensive that it became known as the "Askeviana." He was known to have acquired books from all over Europe, often traveling to Italy and France to purchase rare volumes. His library was a valuable resource for scholars and was frequently consulted by contemporaries.

Legacy

After Askew's death in 1774, his collection was auctioned off in a sale that attracted considerable attention from collectors and institutions across Europe. The sale of the "Askeviana" was a significant event in the history of book collecting, and many of the volumes from his library are now housed in major libraries around the world.

Askew's passion for books and his efforts to preserve classical literature have left a lasting impact on the field of bibliography and the study of ancient texts. His life and work continue to be celebrated by bibliophiles and scholars alike.

Related pages

• Book collecting
• Bibliography
• Royal College of Physicians