Roger Payne

Background

Payne was born at Windsor, learned binding from Joseph Pote of Eton, and is said to have come to London around 1766.

Education

He was then joined by his brother Thomas, who attended to the forwarding department, while Roger concentrated on the finishing and decoration of volumes.

Career

He worked for a short time for Thomas Osborne in Gray"s Inn. By 1770 he was able to set up in business for himself as a bookbinder, near Leicester Square, with the support of Thomas Payne (not closely related). After a time, however, the brothers parted, and Payne, later in life, took as his fellow-worker Richard Wier, whose wife became known as a repairer and restorer of old books

Drink and quarrels broke up this partnership.

Connections

Friend:

Thomas Payne