Joseph Towers

[1] Coming to London in 1764, he worked as a journeyman printer, began to write political pamphlets, and set up a bookseller's shop in Fore Street about 1765.

Towers left Highgate to become forenoon preacher at Newington Green Unitarian Church in 1778, as coadjutor to Richard Price.

He preached as a Unitarian minister without charge, and in 1792 succeeded Roger Flexman as librarian of Dr Williams's Library; resigning this post in 1804, he led an eccentric life, busy with literary schemes, and collecting books and prints.

He became insane in 1830, and died on 4 October 1831, at the White House, Bethnal Green; he was buried in a vault at Elim Chapel, Fetter Lane.

His younger brother was John Towers (1747?–1804), who became an independent minister and pastor of a secession from Jewin Street congregation.