Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Butterworth, Henry
BUTTERWORTH, HENRY (1786–1860), law publisher, was born at Coventry 28 Feb. 1786, being the son of a wealthy timber merchant of that place, and grandson of the Rev. John Butterworth [q. v.], baptist minister of Coventry, Warwickshire, and author of a ‘Concordance of the Holy Scriptures.’ Young Henry was educated first in the grammar school at Coventry, and afterwards at Bristol. When fifteen years old he entered the bookselling establishment of his uncle, Joseph Butterworth [q. v.], in Fleet Street, London. Living in his uncle's house he became acquainted with Lord Liverpool, Lord Teignmouth, William Wilberforce, Zachary Macaulay, Dr. Adam Clarke, and others, who were frequent guests at his uncle's table. In 1818 he went into business on his own account, obtained the appointment of law publisher to the queen, took a leading part in the management of the Stationers' Company, and became the chief London law publisher. In 1823 he was elected a member of the city council, but declined other municipal office. He supported generously church extension, and many social and christian institutions. He was an active member of the Society of Antiquaries. In 1813 Butterworth married Miss Elizabeth H. Whitehead, daughter of Captain Whitehead of the 4th Irish dragoon guards. He died at Upper Tooting, Surrey, 2 Nov. 1860, aged 74. A painted glass window was placed in the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral by his friends, as a mark of respect to his memory.
[Annual Register for 1860, p. 400, et seq.]