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Personal data
Name
John Claxton

Died March 11, 1811
at Bath
Biography

Studied law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, to which he was admitted on Nov 1, 1757. He became a lawyer at Lincoln's Inn, London, and a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.1  In the early 1800s Claxton had built Shirley House, near Croydon, Surrey, which was designed by architect John Shaw (1776-1832).2  The site is now home to the Trinity School. 

Claxton was, at some time, a close friend of William Temple.

Claxton died at Bath on March 4, 1811.3  

  • 1 [BFTD], p. 105
  • 2Colvin, H.M. (1954): A Biographical Dictionary of English Architects, 1660-1840. p. 536-7
  • 3Gentlemen's Magazine, 1811, I. 492.
Life with Boswell

Boswell was introduced to Claxton by Temple, who knew him from Cambridge, on May 15, 1763. Apparently, they took a liking to each other and met occasionally whenever Boswell was in London for the years to come. At one point, Boswell even borrowed a wig and gown from Claxton.