Does Anyone Recognise this Man?

Or rather, does any KAS member know when or why this splendid woodcut of our early nineteenth century historian John Dunkin was published?

The print, on high quality paper and measuring 10 ins. by 13 ins., is held in the collections of Oxfordshire Studies in Oxford's Central Library. Photographic Collections Officer Stephen Rench would like to hear from you if you can identify the source of the print, or have any information that might throw light on its origins. Stephen can be contacted at the Central Library, telephone 01865 815749, or email Stephen.Rench@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

If you can help in any way I should also like to hear from you at mocook@coop.co.uk or telephone 01869 323672. Having moved from Kent to Bicester five years ago, I find myself living close to Merton, the home of Dunkin's family. Kent antiquarians, especially those with interests in Dartford and Bromley, are well aware of the debt owed to Dunkin and, similarly, no Oxfordshire historian can ignore his contribution to the subject. His histories of Bicester and the Hundreds of Ploughley and Bullingdon, published in 1816 and 1823 respectively, are substantial works, which make essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the history of this part of Oxfordshire.

According to Dunkin's diary, extracts of which are given in an article by E.R. Massey*, Dunkin was married to Ann Chapman, December 11th, 1809, at St. Mary's, Brighton and afterwards took up printing, setting up for himself at the age of 33 as a bookseller and printer at Bromley. His last published work was the History of Dartford in 1845. He died in Bromley in December 1846 and is buried in Dartford.

Michael Cook, Bicester

* "Some Reminiscences of John Dunkin," by E.R. Massey, Oxfordshire Archaeological Society Reports for the year 1901, pgs 20-24. The author refers to two 1835 titles possessed by John Dunkin's handwriting, which he had purchased the year before from a London bookseller.