John Sotheby

Who was John Sotheby?

John Sotheby was an English auctioneer, who is the eponym of the famous auction house Sotheby's.

He was the nephew of Samuel Baker, who was the founder of the book auctioneering firm which later became Sotheby's.

After his uncle's death in 1778, John became a partner in his book auctioneering firm along with George Leigh. He expanded the scope of business of the firm to include the sale of prints, medals, coins, and rare antiquities apart from books.