A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Mears, Richard

MEARS, Richard, son of Richard Meares, a maker of lutes, viols, etc., who in 1677 and for many years afterwards carried on business in Bishopsgate Street, 'near to Sir Paul Pinder's,' was bred to his father's business, but abandoned it for that of a publisher of music. He established himself in St. Paul's Churchyard, and published, among other things, two collections of Harpsichord Lessons by Mattheson, Handel's first of 'Suites de Pièces pour le Clavecin,' and his opera, 'Radamisto'; Ariosti's opera 'Coriolanus,' and Corelli's Sonatas and Concertos. The greater part of his publications were engraved on copper, but some of the later ones were stamped on pewter. He was unable to make head against Walsh, and his business gradually declined. He removed first to Birchin Lane and thence to London House Yard, where he died about 1743.

[ W. H. H. ]