Uriel Crocker

Who was Uriel Crocker?

Uriel Crocker was a public-spirited Boston citizen, head of the Crocker & Brewster publishing house during its 58-year existence, and actively involved in other enterprises including railroads.

Crocker was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, as one of eight children of the elder Uriel Crocker and his second wife, Mary James. He graduated from the academy at Marblehead in August, 1811, as first scholar. In the next month, on the day after he turned fifteen years old, he began work in Boston as an apprentice in the printing-office of Samuel Turell Armstrong, who also carried on a bookselling business.

At age 19 Crocker was made foreman of the printing-office, and at 22 was, with his fellow-apprentice Osmyn Brewster taken into partnership with Armstrong. The agreement was that the bookstore was to be conducted in the name of Mr. Armstrong, and the printing-office in that of Crocker & Brewster. After 1825 the entire business was carried on under the name of Crocker & Brewster. The printing-office was then in Mr. Crocker's especial charge, and the bookstore in that of Mr. Brewster.