Bookranger c. 1717-1870

Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 1, Treasury Officials 1660-1870. Originally published by University of London, London, 1972.

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'Bookranger c. 1717-1870', in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 1, Treasury Officials 1660-1870, (London, 1972) pp. 87. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol1/p87 [accessed 24 April 2024]

Bookranger c 1717-1870

The office of Bookranger, known at first more generally as that of Assistant to the Chamber Keeper and Messengers, appears to have been created about 1717. (fn. 1) In 1770 the then holder of the office was also appointed Bag Carrier and the two posts remained united thereafter. (fn. 2) At the time of the reorganisation of the Messengers in 1835 they were discontinued. Later in the same year provision was made for one of the Second Class Messengers to carry out the functions formerly undertaken by the Bookranger. (fn. 3) In 1853 the post was revived as a distinct office and given the rank of a First Class Messenger. (fn. 4)

The salary attached to the office in 1717 was £20. It was raised to £40 in 1724 and to £50 in 1780. (fn. 5) From 1770 to 1793 the Bookranger also received the Bag Carrier's salary of £40. The salary for both offices was fixed at £140 in 1793 and reduced to £100 in 1801. (fn. 6) Between 1822 and 1831 the post was held by one of the Messengers with an additional allowance of £30. (fn. 7) From 1853 the Bookranger received the salary of a First Class Messenger. (fn. 8)

LIST OF APPOINTMENTS

1716-17 Chetwynd, R.
1724 Shepherd, J.
1745 Burton, L.
1747 10 Nov. Gardiner, E.
1766 19 April Watson, W.
1801 27 May Mann, C.
1802 13 Nov. Carter, T.
1811 1 Feb. Pettit, T.
1820 4 April Emmans, T.
1822 8 Oct. Greenwood, C.
1824 5 March Cleaver, T.
1831 18 Feb. Weller, J.
1853 12 Aug. Foot, G.
1859 2 June Bailey, J.
1868 24 Oct. Biggs. R.

Footnotes

  • 1. CTB, xxxi, 211.
  • 2. For the functions of these offices, see 2nd Rept. on Fees, 79-80.
  • 3. TM 21 Aug. 1835 (T 29/368 pp. 481-7), 20 Oct. 1835 (T 29/370 p. 286).
  • 4. TM 12 Aug. 1853 (T 29/552 p. 353).
  • 5. CTB, xxxi, 211; T 53/31 p. 350; T 53/54 p. 130.
  • 6. Order in council 21 June 1793 (15th Rept. on Finance, 288); TM 22 June 1793 (T 29/66 p. 22,) 27 May 1801 (T 29/77 p. 472).
  • 7. TM 8 Oct. 1822 (T 29/214 p. 144).
  • 8. TM 12 Aug. 1853 (T 29/552 p. 353).