Bagford, John (1650-03-25 - 1716-05-05)

The exact date of birth of John Bagford is unknown. Born c. 1650/1651 in Fetter Lane, London, Bagford trained and worked as a shoemaker. From 1686, Bagford collected and traded books on behalf of other collectors, including Samuel Pepys and Sir Hans Sloane. John Bagford died in Islington on 5 May 1716, and was buried two days later at the Charterhouse. He is remembered today for his collection of ballads, which formed part of the Roxburghe Collection.