John Cox (c1770-1825) was a principal in the firm of Cox, Barnett, and Co., copper-plate printers. According to his obituary in the Gentleman's Magazine of February 1825 (p. 186), his address was Bream's buildings, Chancery Lane, and he was 54 years of age at his death. He oversaw the publication of engravings in many publications of the period, so that "to the careful superintendance and taste of this gentleman, is owing much of the graphical beauty of many of the splendidly decorated works which have appeared during the last thirty years." The Gentleman's Magazine mentions works published by the "Society of Antiquaries, the Dilettanti, and other Societies, the Topographical and Architectural works published by Taylor, and a large portion of the valuable publications of Messrs. Britton, Cooke, Neale, and others." He was interested in British architecture and antiquarianism, and had accumulated a library on these subjects. He was also interested in music, and regularly met with friends to play the music of Handel in particular. He is described as "an active supporter and the zealous friend of most of the institutions for the relief of suffering humanity in the metropolis." All these interests and activities find echoes in the journals.

Cox married Susannah Elgie on 15 February 1791 in St George Hanover Square, London. He was the brother-in-law of the engraver James Basire the younger (1769-1822), who married his sister, Mary Cox, in 1795.