John Claxton
Biography
Birth: n/a
Death: Mar 11, 1811 at Bath
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 (Link).
Claxton died at Bath on March 4, 1811.3 A close friend of William Temple.
Life with James 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 some point Boswell even borrowed a wig and gown from Claxton.
Notes
Note 1: BFtD, p. 105
Note 2: Colvin, H.M. (1954): A Biographical Dictionary of English Architects, 1660-1840. p. 536-7
Note 3: Gentlemen's Magazine, 1811, I. 492.
Mentioned in
John Claxton is mentioned in:
- London Journal 1762-1763
