Thomas Miller (bookseller)

Thomas Miller (14 August 1731 – 25 July 1804) was a leading English bookseller.

He was apprenticed to a grocer, but when he commenced business for himself in 1755 his fondness for reading induced him to combine bookselling with his other trade.

As his son William recorded in a memoir: Thomas Miller was little suited by nature to the quiet, unambitious life of a country shopkeeper.

His mind, which he had improved by much reading, was adapted to a larger sphere - his cramped locality marred his fortune...He had a spirit too independent for the petty aristocracy that surrounds most country towns - his politics never varied or were adapted to his local interests....He had a talent for light poetry but was too fond of lampooning his neighbours when the vein was upon him & he saw a fair opportunity.Miller's stock of books was very valuable, and he had an extensive collection of engraved portraits, and nearly a complete series of Roman and English silver and brass coins.

In 1795, when the fashion was very general for tradesmen to circulate provincial halfpennies, he had a die-cast, but an accident happened to one of the blocks when only twenty-three pieces had been struck off, Miller declined having a fresh one made.