Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Colnaghi, Paul
COLNAGHI, PAUL (1751–1833), print dealer, was born, probably in Milan, in 1751. His father, Dr. Martino Colnago, a distingished Milanese lawyer, died about 1770-5, leaving his estate in a very embarrassed condition. His mother's name was Ippolita Raggi. Paul having, in union with his elder brother, settled his father's affairs, left Italy soon afterwards to seek his fortune in France. After undergoing various vicissitudes he became the Paris agent of Signer Torre, the well-known London printseller of the day, with whom he finally entered into partnership, and the firm of Torre was merged in the house of Paul and Dominic Colnaghi & Co. He now became a naturalised Englishman, and married Maria Elizabeth Baker, who was a family connection of Captain Thomas Coram. He died on 26 Aug. 1833. There exist of him a portrait drawn on stone by Edward Morton from a drawing by Raphael Smith (1800), a medallion engraved by R. Easton after a bust of Danlau (1833), and a drawing by Charles Turner.
[Manuscript notes in Brit. Mus.]