William Oldys
London, the 14th of July 1696 marked the birth of William Oldys. He entered the world as an illegitimate son of Dr William Oldys, a clergyman who held the office of advocate of the admiralty. His father lost that position in 1693 for refusing to prosecute sailors serving under James II as traitors and pirates. This political stance created immediate instability within the family. The elder Oldys had previously served against England during the Glorious Revolution era conflicts. Young William grew up without the security of his father's official standing. The loss of the admiralty post meant financial strain from the start. No records confirm where exactly he was born, but London remains the most likely location. His early years were defined by this sudden shift from privilege to uncertainty.
The South Sea Bubble crash cost William Oldys part of his small patrimony. In 1724 he traveled to Yorkshire to stay with the Earl of Malton. For six years he lived there as a guest while trying to rebuild his life. Upon returning to London he discovered his landlord had sold all his books and papers. Among the missing items was an annotated copy of Gerard Langbaine's Dramatick Poets. That book eventually reached Thomas Coxeter and then Theophilus Cibber. It formed the basis for Lives of the Poets published in 1753 under Cibber's name. Most of the actual writing came from Robert Shiels instead. By 1751 Oldys' debts forced him into Fleet prison. He spent two years behind bars before friends paid off his obligations. This period marked his transition from independent scholar to hired writer for booksellers.
Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer purchased Oldys' collections in 1731. Three years later Harley appointed him literary secretary. When Harley died in 1741 Oldys began working directly for booksellers. His irregular habits made steady employment difficult. The dispersal of his manuscripts created confusion among future researchers. An annotated copy of Gerard Langbaine's Dramatick Poets disappeared during this chaotic time. Later biographers relied heavily on these scattered notes despite their fragmented state. The British Library holds Addit 4240 Diary of Birch which contains details about his family history. These documents helped preserve some of his work after his death. Without Harley's initial support many of his annotations might have been lost forever.
April 1755 brought an unexpected appointment for William Oldys as Norfolk Herald Extraordinary. Shortly after he became Norroy King of Arms under the Duke of Norfolk. The College of Arms later described him as wholly ignorant of heraldry. He was known for being rarely sober in the afternoon and never after supper. His addiction to low company further complicated his professional reputation. Despite these flaws he held the position until his death in 1761. This contradiction between his lack of knowledge and high office remains striking. No evidence suggests he ever mastered the complex rules of heraldic design. Friends who paid his debts likely understood his limitations better than official records did.
The British Muse appeared in 1738 as one of Britain's earliest poetry anthologies. From 1747 to 1760 Oldys contributed twenty-two articles to the Biographia Britannica. These entries covered various figures from English literary history. His editorial work shaped how readers understood early modern poets. Clare Bucknell notes this anthology helped make British culture through its selections. The Biographia Britannica articles remain a key part of his surviving legacy. They demonstrate his deep knowledge despite personal struggles. Each article required research into obscure sources available at the time. His contributions spanned thirteen years of continuous publication effort.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When and where was William Oldys born?
William Oldys was born in London on the 14th of July 1696. No records confirm his exact birthplace, but London remains the most likely location.
What caused William Oldys to lose his family's financial security?
His father lost his position as advocate of the admiralty in 1693 for refusing to prosecute sailors serving under James II. This political stance created immediate instability within the family and resulted in financial strain from the start.
How did the South Sea Bubble crash affect William Oldys' life?
The South Sea Bubble crash cost William Oldys part of his small patrimony. In 1724 he traveled to Yorkshire to stay with the Earl of Malton while trying to rebuild his life.
Why is William Oldys known for being a poor heraldry expert despite holding high office?
The College of Arms later described William Oldys as wholly ignorant of heraldry after he became Norroy King of Arms in April 1755. He held the position until his death in 1761 without ever mastering the complex rules of heraldic design.
What major literary works did William Oldys contribute to during his career?
William Oldys contributed twenty-two articles to the Biographia Britannica from 1747 to 1760. His editorial work also shaped how readers understood early modern poets through anthologies like The British Muse which appeared in 1738.