William Dugdale (29 March 1800 – 11 November 1868) was an English publisher, printer, and bookseller of politically subversive publications and pornographic literature in England during the 19th century.
[7] On 4 May 1826, William married Hannah Pinnell in St. Anne Soho parish, Westminster.
In 1822 he started his own publishing and book-selling business, initially of a general nature but specializing over time in pornography.
William Dugdale set up shop at numerous addresses during his 40+ years in the book trade.
[14] William's two brothers were no strangers to the Society for the Suppression of Vice and to the English courts.
Thomas was found guilty of selling and publishing obscene prints from 51 Holywell Street on 16 August 1847 and sentenced to 1 year in prison.
[27] William Dugdale died at the age of 68 on 11 November 1868 while incarcerated at the Clerkenwell house of correction.
An article posted in Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper regarding an inquiry into the circumstances of his death reads in part: "Jessie Judge of 44 Wych-street…said she was the daughter of the deceased.
The jury also strongly recommended that books of a higher intellectual character than those generally distributed throughout the ward should be made available to the "high class of men who were prisoners".