Land surveyor Thomas Ashenden began publishing in the late 1850s. In 1855 his partnership with land surveyor T. W. Collard was dissolved and by 1857 he owned a bookseller, stationer and printing company in Canterbury. He published books and prints, including J. M. W. Turner’s ‘View of Chequers, Christchurch Gate and Canterbury Cathedral’ and L. L. Raze’s ‘View of St. Augustine’s College’ and ‘South West View of the Quadrangle of St. Augustine’s College, Canterbury’. As a land surveyor he was presumably a skilled draughtsman. In 1863, his premises became the Canterbury depot of The Library Company. He sold the business in September that year. In 1889 he is described as farmer, surveyor, land agent and District Manager of Kent Fire Offices.
