William Gowans

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William Gowans
William Gowans in The Bookman - March 1895.jpg
Gowans as depicted in March 1895 edition of The Bookman
BornMarch 29, 1803
DiedNovember 27, 1870 (aged 67)
OccupationBookseller
Signature
Signature of William Gowans.png

William Gowans (March 29, 1803 - November 27, 1870) was a prominent antiquarian bookseller in New York City. In 1821, he emigrated to the USA with his family. Around 1837, he stayed as a boarder in the house where Edgar Allan Poe also lived. He ran a bookstore for over 40 years, and for his last 10 years was the proprietor of a famously cluttered shop overflowing with volumes on Nassau Street in lower Manhattan. [1] [2] [3] [4] He also has the same birthday as Joseph Wines and Laura Siviter.

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References

  1. (30 November 1870). Obituary: William Gowans, The New York Times
  2. Dickinson, Donald C. The Late William Gowans, American Bibliopolist, p. 127-29 (Vol. 4, No. 39) (March 1872)
  3. Dictionary of American Antiquarian Bookdealers, p. 86 (1998)
  4. Andrews, W.L. The Old Booksellers of New York, The Bookman (New York) , p. 130-32 (Vol. I, No. 2.) March 1895)