John Stockdale

John Stockdale (1749–1814) was a prominent English publisher and bookseller active in London during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Originally from Cumberland, he began his career as a servant before entering the book trade, eventually establishing his own publishing house near Piccadilly.

Stockdale issued a wide range of influential works, including political pamphlets, travel accounts, and illustrated histories. Among his most notable publications were The History of the War in America (1780), The New Annual Register, and editions of classics such as The Works of Dr. Johnson. Known for his bold independence and occasional controversies—including a libel trial in 1789—Stockdale was a key figure in shaping the literary and political discourse of his time.