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CREECH, WILLIAM, an eminent
bookseller, was the son of the Rev. William Creech, minister of Newbattle,
a most respectable clergyman, and of Miss Mary Buley, an English lady,
related to a family of rank in Devonshire. He was born in the year 1745,
and received a complete classical education at the school at Dalkeith,
which was taught by Mr. Barclay, a preceptor of some distinction, who also
educated the first viscount Melville, and the lord chancellor Loughborough.
He was at first designated for the medical profession, but eventually was
bound apprentice to Mr. Kincaid, a bookseller in Edinburgh. In the year
1766, Mr. Creech went upon a tour of the continent, in company with Lord
Kilmaurs, son of the Earl of Glencairn. After his return, in 1771, he was
received by his former master into partnership, and finally, in 1773, left
in full possession of the business. For forty-four years, Mr. Creech
carried on by far the most extensive bookselling concern in Scotland,
publishing the writings of many of the distinguished men who adorned
Scottish literature at the close of the eighteenth century. His shop,
which occupied a conspicuous situation in the centre of the old town, and
yet, by a curious chance, commanded a view thirty miles into the country,
was, during all that long period, the Rialto of literary commerce and
intercourse, while his house in the neighbourhood also attracted its more
select crowds at the breakfast hour, under the name of Creech's levee. While
thus busied in sending the works of his friends into the world, he
occasionally contributed articles to the newspapers and other periodical
works, generally in reference to the passing follies of the day, of which
he was a most acute and sarcastic observer. During his own life-time, he
published a volume of these trifles, under the title of "Edinburgh
Fugitive Pieces," which was re-published with his name, and with some
additions, after his death. He was one of the founders of the Speculative
Society in 1764.
Mr. Creech's style of
composition is only worthy of being spoken of with respect to its ironical
humour, which was certainly its only feature of distinction. This humour,
though said to have been very powerful when aided by the charm of his own
voice and manner in conversation, is of too cold, wiry, and artificial a
kind, to have much effect in print. It must also be mentioned, that,
although very staid and rigid in style, it involves many allusions by no
means of a decorous nature.
In private life, Mr. Creech
shone conspicuously as a pleasant companion and conversationist, being
possessed of an inexhaustible fund of droll anecdote, which he could
narrate in a characteristic manner, and with unfailing effect. He thus
secured general esteem, in despite, it appeared, of extraordinary fondness
for money, and penuriousness of habits, which acted to the preclusion, not
only of all benevolence of disposition, but even of the common honesty of
discharging his obligations when they were due. He died, unmarried, on the
14th of January, 1815.
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