Transcript

of

Richard Lethaby (Obituary)

Trans. Devon. Assoc., 1889, Vol XXI, pp.71-72.

by

Rev. W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1889 Tavistock meeting. A complete record of the wide variety of Mr Lethaby’s print publications is provided on the Exeter Working Papers in Book History website.
Death registration of Richard Lethaby Dec: qtr 1888 at Honiton dist aged 76 (ref FreeBMD).
"LETHABY Richard. Personal Estate £556 1s. 10d. 14 December. The Will of Richard Lethaby late of Sidmouth in the County of Devon Bookseller and Printer who died 8 November 1888 at Sidmouth was proved at Exeter by Emily Frances Lethaby Widow the Relict and Elizabeth Lethaby Spinster the Daughter both of Sidmouth two of the Executors." (ref Ancestry National Probate)
The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Richard Lethaby was the eldest son of the late Mr. William Lethaby, of Chumleigh, North Devon. He was born in 1812, and at a comparatively early age became manager to Messrs. Clowes and Sons, the then well-known military publishers. In 1861 he came to Sidmouth, succeeding to the printing, publishing, and stationery business carried on by Mr. Perry (late Hoyte) in the premises now known as the Fore Street Drapery Stores. Growth of business compelled him to remove to more commodious premises in Market Place, where he remained up to the time of his death.

Mr. Lethaby was the editor and publisher of the Sidmouth Journal until May, 1888 (a period of twenty-seven years), when, owing to the ill-health of the proprietor and other causes, the publication fell through. He took a great interest in local affairs, and during his career filled many public offices in the town. He was vice-chairman of the local branch of the C.E.T.S. from the time of its formation; and so great was his zeal in connection with the temperance movement, that it is stated he only once failed to attend the meetings of the society. He also served on the committee of the Cottage Hospital, and was a member of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Burial Board benefited by his counsel and advice, and he was for many years a member of the Local Board of Health, and at the time of his death he was one of the town's overseers. In the summer of 1888 he was presented by the Rev. H. G. J. Clements, Vicar of Sidmouth, on behalf of the inhabitants, with a purse containing £60, as a mark of the esteem and respect in which he was held by his fellow-townsmen. In return, at the expiration of the publication of the Sidmouth Journal, Mr. Lethaby presented the vicar and Messrs. P. 0. Hutchinson and Chessal, on behalf of the town, with a set of the journals bound in volume form.

Mr. Lethaby joined the Association in 1873, and took a very active part in organizing an exhibition of pictures, articles of vertu, and curiosities of all kinds, at the Annual Meeting of the Association which was held at Sidmouth that year. 

He died November 8th, 1888, aged 76 years.