, a gentleman eminently conversant in literary history, was born
, a gentleman eminently conversant in
literary history, was born Jan. 1, 1742, at Stewart-street,
Old Artillery-ground, London, of a family, we are told,
“highly respectable, and of considerable antiquity,
” but
certainly at this time somewhat reduced, as his father was
in the humble occupation of a baker. He is said,
however, to have been a man of education and abilities very
superior to his condition, and both capable and desirous
of bestowing those advantages upon his son, whom he sent
to an academy at Streatham. In 1757, Mr. Reed became
an articled clerk to Messrs. Perrot and Hodgson, then
eminent attornies in London; and at the expiration of his
articles, engaged himself as assistant to Mr. Hoskins, of
Lincoln’s-inu, an eminent barrister and conveyancer. In
this situation he remained about a year, when he took
chambers in Gray’s-inn, and began to practise as a conveyancer on his own account.