Personal data
Charles Dilly
Born May 22, 1739  
at Southill, Bedfordshire
Died May 4, 1807  
at Ramsgate, Kent

Charles Dilly joined his elder brother Edward's publishing firm in 1766 and continued the business until 1800, 21 years after his brother's death. At least 898 books were issued wholly or partly under their names, during their partnership, and a further 1,621 titles were published by Charles between 1779 and his retirement in 1800.1

The Dilly's published all three of Boswell's best-known works, his Account of Corsica, the Tour to the Hebrides and the Life of Johnson, as well as Lord Chesterfield's Memoirs and Miscellaneous Works.

In 1803, Dilly achieved the honourable position of Master of the Worshipful Company of Stationers.

  • 1Raven, J. (2002). London Booksellers and American Customers. p. 96.
Charles Dilly (Wikipedia)

Unless otherwise noted, the source for a dated quotation of Boswell's is generally the corresponding volume of the Yale Trade Editions of Boswell's journals.