Andrew Strahan
Andrew Strahan (1750–1831), printer and publisher.
1750 Born at 10 Little New Street, London, son of William Strahan, from whom he inherited several printing and publishing businesses.
1785 On his father's death, Andrew operated as king’s printer with Charles Eyre at 8 East Harding Street, Shoe Lane, off Fleet Street, and ran separately his private printing business in nearby Little New Street and New Street Square.
He sold some properties, consolidated others, finally lost the law patent, but carried on a flourishing business and received renewal of the patent as King's Printer.
1796 Elected as a member of parliament, which continued until 1820.
He had no political ambitions. In 24 years in Parliament he is known to have contributed to debate only once, and then on the distribution of state papers.
1810 Wrote to Lord Wellesley in pursuit of the renewal of a contract to print the "London Gazette" that had been awarded to him by Canning as Foreign secretary, he referred to his 'unalterable attachment to his Majesty's government'.
1819 Retired from formal management of the businesses, which was continued by his nephews Andrew and Robert Spottiswoode
1831 Strahan was a very wealthy bachelor when he died; the business passed to the family of John Spottiswoode, who had married William Strahan's youngest daughter, Margaret Penelope. He gave Andrew Spottiswoode a legacy of £15,000, and bequeathed to Robert Spottiswoode his patent as king’s printer and share in the stock and materials of that business. To both Spottiswoode nephews he left his house in Little New Street, two adjoining houses, the lease of the printing office in New Street Square and his share in copyright. They were entitled to an eighth share each in the £181,224 residue of a personal estate which was sworn as under £800,000.
1832 After the sudden death of Robert, aged 40, at Carlisle in September 1832, Andrew Spottiswoode (to whom his brother left £5,000) remained in sole charge of the private firm of Spottiswoode and Co for the next 16 years, as well as continuing to operate as king’s printer with Eyre and Spottiswoode.
Mid-19th century: the King's House became Eyre and Spottiswoode Ltd; the private business continued as Spottiswoode, Ballantyne and Co. Ltd.