Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Grundy, John Clowes
GRUNDY, JOHN CLOWES (1806–1867), printseller and art patron, born at Bolton, Lancashire, on 3 Aug. 1806, was eldest son of John Grundy, cotton-spinner in that town, and Elizabeth Leeming, his wife. He was first apprenticed in a Manchester warehouse. Having a great taste for art he transferred himself to a printseller named Zanetti, after whose death he became partner in a similar business, at first with a Mr. Fox, and in 1835 with Charles Goadsby. In 1838 he carried on the business on his own account. Grundy was regarded as one of the best judges of engravings in the country. As a patron of art, he was the staunch friend of local artists, like Henry Liverseege and William Bradley, and one of the first to appreciate the genius of David Cox, Samuel Prout, and others. In conjunction with his brother, Robert Hindmarsh Grundy of Liverpool, he had a share in founding the Printsellers' Association in London. Through his co-operation with Sir F. Moon, the large volumes of David Roberts's 'Sketches in the Holy Land, Egypt, &c.,' were published. Grundy died on 19 May 1867, while on a visit in London, and his extensive collections were then dispersed. Two of his sons have since carried on the business.
Grundy, Thomas Leeming (1808-1841), engraver, younger brother of the above, born at Bolton on 6 Jan. 1808, was first apprenticed to a mercantile engraver at Manchester, but, having higher aspirations in his profession, came to London, where he found employment on the annuals then in vogue, engraving the pictures of Clarkson Stanfield, Liverseege, and others. He was employed for some time by G.T. Doo and E. Goodall, the engravers, and also engraved many portraits. The best of his own engravings was 'The Lancashire Witch,' after W. Bradley, executed in a curious but effective mixed style of engraving. He died prematurely in Brecknock Terrace, Camden Town, on 10 March 1841, leaving a wife and one child.
[Gent. Mag. 1867, ii. 116; Manchester Guardian, 24 May 1867; Art Union, 1841; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; information from A. Nicholson, esq.]