He was appointed sub-librarian under Richard Porson at the London Institution in December 1805 and retired in 1813, becoming a bookseller. He contributed to the Literary Gazette.

CORRESPONDENCE OF James Ilbery:

James Ilbery to William Jerdan, [1820?] in The Autobiography of William Jerdan. 4 vols (London: Arthur Hall, Vertue & Co., 1852-53)