Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Washbourn, John
WASHBOURN, JOHN (1760?–1829), local historian, son of John Washbourn (d. 1824?), was descended from an ancient Gloucestershire family (Burke, Commoners, iii. 621; cf. art. Washbourne, Thomas), and was born at Gloucester in 1759 or 1760. He entered the business of his father, a printer and bookseller in Westgate Street, Gloucester, and both father and son were long connected with the corporation of that city. Their typography was noted for its accuracy; but Washbourn's chief claim to notice is his ‘Bibliotheca Gloucestrensis: a Collection of scarce and curious Tracts relating to the County and City of Gloucester illustrative of and published during the Civil War,’ Gloucester, 4to. The second part was published first in 1823, the first part, containing an historical introduction by John Webb [q. v.], not appearing till 1825. Washbourn died on 25 April 1829, aged 69, and was buried in the unitarian burial-ground at Gloucester, where also was buried his wife Mary, who died, aged 63, at Newent on 28 June 1833.
[Notes kindly supplied by F. A. Hyett, esq.; Gent. Mag. 1829, ii. 92; pref. to Bibl. Gloucestrensis.]