Britton, Thomas

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Britton, Thomas (b Rushden, Northants., 1644; d London, 1714). Eng. coal merchant, collector of books, and organizer of concerts in London, held from 1678 in room over his shop in Clerkenwell, in which the young Handel took part with Pepusch and others. Attended by aristocrats and leaders of fashion. Known as ‘the small-coal man’.