William Stansby

STANSBY (William), printer and bookseller in London, 1597–1639; Cross Keys at St. Paul’s Wharf [Windet’s shop]. Son of Richard Stansby of Exeter, cutler. Apprentice to John Windet, stationer of London, for seven years from Christmas, 1590 [Arber, ii. 173]. Admitted a freeman January 7th, 159⁶/₇ [Arber, ii. 717], and appears to have been taken into partnership by his former master, at whose death about 1615, he succeeded to the business [Arber, iii. 701]. His first book entry occurs on April 28th, 1597 [Arber, iii. 83]. He entered nothing else until April 1st, 1611, after which date until 1635 the entries under his name are continuous. Stansby never appears to have held any office in the Company, but he is frequently mentioned in the wills of other stationers and was a man of considerable position in the trade. On February 23rd, 162⁵/₆, the widow of Thomas Snodham transferred all her copyrights to William Stansby. These copies had previously belonged to Thomas East, and included all his music books. The transfer fills more than two pages of the Register. William Stansby died some time in 1638 or the beginning of 1639, and on March 4th, 163⁸/₉, his widow assigned her copyrights to George Bishop [Arber, iv. 459].