Author: Walker, George
Biography:
WALKER, George (1772-1847: ODNB)
Some information about George Walker was first published in Watkins (1816) and repeated in later sources, including the ODNB. This includes details about his birth at Falcon Court, Cripplegate, London, on 24 Dec. 1772. However, no public records that support the 24 Dec. birthdate have been located and the names of his parents are not known. At fifteen Walker was apprenticed to John Cuthell, a bookseller with premises at 24 Middle Row, Holborn. Walker opened his own shop at 106 Great Portland Street in about 1795 and moved to Soho Square in about 1821; he specialised in music and operated as a publisher. On 11 Apr. 1802 he married Ann Brown (b 1779) at St. Marylebone. A son George—later a popular writer on chess—was born in 1803 followed by two daughters, Maria and Ann. (His will names a third daughter, Sarah Baker, but no information has been located about her.) His first novel, The Romance of the Cavern, was issued anonymously in 1793. He began putting his name to his novels in 1795 and in all published twelve, including one for children. The best known was probably The Vagabond of 1799 but his books were popular and several went to numerous editions. Walker went into partnership with his son in about 1829, trading as George Walker and Son. The 1841 Census shows him living at 17 Soho Square with his wife Ann, daughters Maria and Ann (identified as schoolteachers), a lodger, and two female servants. He died there on 8 Feb. 1847 and was buried in Highgate cemetery. His will was proved on 21 June 1847 and left various London properties and his business assets to his wife, son, daughters, and his sister Elizabeth Lawton. (ODNB 22 Oct. 2025; ancestry.co.uk 22 Oct. 2025; findmypast.co.uk 22 Oct. 2025; Watkins; Ian Maxted, Exeter Working Papers in Book History online 22 Oct. 2025; EN1; EN2) SR
Other Names:
- G. Walker