Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bindley, James
BINDLEY, JAMES (1737–1818), book collector, second son of John Bindley, distiller, of St. John Street, Smithfield, was born in London on 16 Jan. 1737. He was educated at the Charterhouse under Dr. Crusius, and then proceeded to Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he was elected to a fellowship (B.A. 1759, M.A. 1762). In 1765 he succeeded his elder brother John as one of the commissioners of the stamp duties, and in that capacity he served the public for upwards of fifty-three years. He was the senior commissioner from 1781 until his death, which occurred at his house in Somerset Place on 11 Sept. 1818. A fine monument to his memory was erected in the church of St. Mary-le-Strand. At the time of his decease he was the 'father' of the Society of Antiquaries, having been elected a fellow in 1765. Bindley devoted his leisure to literary pursuits, and formed a valuable collection of rare books, engravings, and engravings, and medals, which were sold by auction after his death. He read every proof-sheet of Nichols's ‘Literary Anecdotes,’ which are dedicated to him, and of the subsequent 'Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century,' frequently suggesting useful emendations or adding explanatory notes. A similar service he rendered nearly at the close of his life to his friend Mr. Bray, in the publication of Evelyn's 'Diary.' The only work he himself published was 'A Collection of the Statutes now in force relating to the Stamp Duties,' London, 1775, 4to. His portrait is prefixed to the fourth volume of Nichols's 'Illustrations' (1822), and that volume is dedicated to his memory.
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.27
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
| Page | Col. | Line | |
| 45 | ii | 27-28 | Bindley, James : for succeeded . . . John as read became |
| 31 | after years insert (His brother John was secretary and afterwards commissioner of the board of excise) |