William London (fl. 1658) was an English bookseller and bibliographer of Newcastle upon Tyne. He is best known for his Catalogue of the most Vendible Books in England of 1657.[1]
Besides running a bookshop and selling other supplies, London published in partnership with London firms. One book of his was Charles Hoole, Phraseologia Anglo-Latina (1655), imprint "London, printed by E. Coles for William London, bookseller, Newcastle".[1] [2]
The full title of London's English bibliography was A Catalogue of the most vendible Books in England orderly and alphabetically digested … the like Work never yet performed by any. Varietas Delectat, London, 1658. London arranged his titles under headings: Divinity, History, Physic and Chirurgerie, Law, Romances, Poems, Plays, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. A supplement of new books issued between August 1657 and June 1658 was appended. In 1660 he brought out A Catalogue of New Books by way of Supplement to the former, being such as have been printed from that time till Easter Term, 1660, London, 31 May 1660.[2] There had been earlier book lists in England, but one way in which London innovated was by including titles at full length. He listed about 4,500 works.[1]
In 1663 Francis Hawkins issued a new edition of his Youths Behaviour, with a glossary entry "Catalogue: a roule of names, or register, a cataloging of Books which Mr. London, bookseller of Newcastle, hath published."[2]