James Simmons blue plaque

The James Simmons Blue Plaque is set back from the High St/St Peters St, behind the rails of the building adjacent to the river (currently Ask Italian).It reads: James Simmons entrepreneur MP Alderman and Mayor lived here 1802-18071807, Feb. Died, James SIMMONS, printer and bookseller at Canterbury, whose life is a striking instance of what may be effected by industry and perseverance.James SIMMONS, who afterwards sat in parliament for his native place, was born in an obscure part of the city of Canterbury, immediately in the vicinity of its cathedral, about the year 1740. His father (*William) was a barber (*perukemaker), whose circumstances were confessedly poor, although himself was of honest repute; and his son was educated at the King's School (*1749-55), in Canterbury, an excellent institution, which was founded by Henry VIII. Being sent to London, while a boy, James became an apprentice to Mr. Thomas GREENHILL (*c. 1757), an eminent stationer, residing nearly opposite the Mansion house, but whose residence has since been converted into a banking house; thus, adopting the witticism of this gentlemen's biographer, still keeping up