Daniel, George, 1789-1864

George Daniel was born in 1789. Though he made his main living as a businessman, he was also a writer and book collector. In his early years, he published squibs on Royal scandals, some of which were suppressed, and satirised contemporary poetasters in The modern Dunciad , 1814. He had a circle of literary friends, including Charles Lamb and Robert Bloomfield, and was also interested in the theatre, editing British Theatre (John Cumberland, London), 1823-1831, and Davison's Actable Drama . Daniel also wrote two farces for the Drury Lane Theatre, as well as numerous humorous and religious poems. At his residence, 18 Canonbury Square, London, he brought together a magnificent collection of Elizabethan books, black-letters ballads and theatrical curiosities, which were dispersed following his death in 1864.

From the guide to the Daniel, George, c1797-1900, (Senate House Library, University of London)