“ He was almost throughout life a most industrious collector of books, prints, drawings and curiosities generally, and his house in the Crescent was literally crammed in every corner with the results of his visits to the book shops and book boxes in London and elsewhere. ”

“ W. Downing has announced, and of which Mr, Bates was to be editor. Mr, Bates was a widower, and when released from his duties at the hospital, he lived the life of a recluse among his books and other treasures, which he was always ready and willing to show his friends. As a literary man of considerable attainments, an acute critic and a laborious editor. Mr. Bates will long be remembered among Birmingham men who have made books and libraries the occupation or the solace of their lives. ”