Ollier, Charles, 1788-1859

Charles Ollier, English publisher, writer, and editor.

From the guide to the Charles Ollier manuscript material : 3 items, 1845-1855, (The New York Public Library. Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle.)

English publisher of Shelley and Keats.

From the description of Autograph document signed : London, 1834 Feb. 5. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270872065

Publisher, writer, and editor Charles Ollier was born on May 4, 1788 in the parish of St. James, Bath, England.

Ollier moved from Bath to London at the age of fourteen to become a junior clerk at a London banking house. While continuing his work and apprenticeships in the field of banking, Ollier became interested in the London literary, theatrical, and musical scene. In 1810 Ollier wrote his first piece of theatrical criticism for the Examiner, a Liberal newspaper published by poet and essayist Leigh Hunt. Through his friendship with Hunt, Ollier became acquainted with other prominent artists and authors living in London. On May 13, 1814, Ollier married Maria Gattie (1786–1878). The couple would go on to have six children. In 1817 Ollier entered into business with his younger brother James as a publisher, bookseller, stationer, and manager of a circulating library. Ollier's earlier introductions to individuals in the London literary scene via Leigh Hunt helped the brothers to publish the first two books bearing the C. and J. Ollier imprint. These works, John Keats's Poems and Percy B. Shelley's Proposal for Putting Reform to the Vote throughout the Kingdom , were published in March of 1817, and marked the beginning of Ollier's influence as a publisher. The brother's business went bankrupt during the winter of 1822–1823 and Ollier was forced to cease publishing. From 1825 until 1839 Ollier worked as a reader and advisor for other publishing firms, until, in 1846, he began publishing again under his own name. Unfortunately, this second publishing endeavor would fail just three years later, in January of 1849. Though Ollier struggled to achieve financial success with his publishing efforts, his work was nevertheless highly influential. In addition to his career as a publisher, Ollier also wrote and published a number of his own works. Ollier died June 5, 1859 as a result of a long-time respiratory illness.

Robinson, Charles E. "Ollier, Charles (1788–1859)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. Available online at http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/20739 (accessed January 27, 2009).

From the guide to the Charles Ollier letters to Leigh Hunt, 1850 July 29 and undated, (University of Delaware Library - Special Collections)