Benjamin Heath Malkin

Benjamin Heath Malkin (Birth date|1769|03|23, London - Death date and age|1842|05|26|1769|03|23 at CowbridgeG. Martin Murphy, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography] ) was a British scholar and writer notable for his connection to the artist and poet William Blake.

Malkin was educated at Harrow School and Cambridge University, receiving his MA in 1802 and his doctorate in 1810. In 1795 he published "Essays on Subjects connected with Civilization" (C.Dilly, London). From 1809 to 1828 he was headmaster of the Free School in Bury St. Edmunds where he taught a number of pupils who would later go on to become Cambridge Apostles. [ G.E. Bentley Jr, "Blake Records", 285 fn.] In 1829, Malkin became the first professor of History in the newly formed London University. During his scholarly career he published both historical and creative works on many subjects, including the history of South Wales, a translation of Gil Blas, and the play "Almahide and Hamet". [Obituary, "The Gentleman's Magazine", 1842, p. 211]

Today he is remembered for his 1806 book "A Father's Memoirs of his Child", which contains the earliest biographical account of Blake, who designed (though it was engraved by R. H. Cromek) the frontispiece depicting Malkin's deceased son. G.E. Bentley suggests that Malkin met Blake in 1803, soon after he returned to London from his three years in Felpham. [Bentley, 223] . It is also possible that the two men were acquainted via the publisher Joseph Johnson for whom Blake had worked. William Godwin reports meeting Malkin at dinner at Horne Tooke's in 1796 and 1797 and at Fuseli's Milton Gallery in 1800 [Bentley, 223 fn.] . It is therefore likely that Blake and Malkin shared radical sympathies. Malkin also lived close to Blake's patron Thomas Butts in Hackney, London and knew George Cumberland, another friend. [Bentley, 285 fn.]

References