Bromley, Robert Anthony

Submitted by edpope on

Rev Robert Anthony Bromley of Upper Charlotte St behind Fitzroy Chapel original member of Socy for Const Info. First attended 8.12.1780 after unquorate general meeting, secondly on 9.3.1781

GODWIN DIARY  20.11.1795 Bromley at Carr's

I have no clear evidence that this Bromley was the Rev Robert Anthony but it certainly could have been. He was the son of John Bromley attorney of Wigan, born about 1731 admitted Grays Inn 1759, married 1764 Mary dau of Stretch Cowley, (mariner of Liverpool and Stepney who died 1770 at Bonny in Africa), variously morning preacher at Foundling Hospital, lecturer of St John's Hackney, Rector of St Mildred's Poultry and minister of Fitzroy chapel. His son Stretch Cowley Bromley was articled to John Frost DNB 1750-1842 attorney on 6.2.1788.  He annoyed Fuseli and other artists by his History of the Fine Arts 1793 (see Farington diary). Founding member of SCI 1780 but by 1795 was not supporting the radical causes, published sermon 1793 'No peace with destructive principles' dedicated to George Hardinge MP. He died 1806. His brother Thomas was assistant master at Harrow School and married in 1775 Rose Mary dau of Benjamin Heath (1739-1817) master of Harrow from 1771-1785. Another brother Henry was a wine merchant who went bankrupt and later got a position in the Stamp Office. He may have been the compiler of Catalogue of Engraved British Portraits 1793, which is stated by the DNB to have been the work of Anthony Wilson DNB 1750?-1814? using the pseudonym Henry Bromley, but since nothing is known of Wilson and the information came from annotations in a copy of Bromley's Catalogue belonging to Edward Evans (DNB 1789-1835) which now seems to be missing, this is very dubious, especially as Evans was only four in 1793