William Caxton

NAME William Caxton

WHAT FAMOUS FOR William Caxton is renowned as the first English printer. He introduced the printing press to England in 1476, revolutionizing the dissemination of information and knowledge.

BIRTH William Caxton was born around 1422, though the exact date and location of his birth are uncertain. It is generally believed that he was born in the Weald of Kent, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Caxton was born to a relatively prosperous family. His father was believed to be a merchant providing William with a stable upbringing. There is little specific information available about his parents or siblings.

CHILDHOOD William grew up in Kent and had access to some form of education, possibly through the Church or local guilds.

EDUCATION While there is no formal record of Caxton's education, it is evident from his later work that he was literate and well-versed in multiple languages, including English, French, and Latin. His knowledge and skills suggest that he may have received an apprenticeship or education that allowed him to engage in trade and business.

CAREER RECORD William Caxton's career began in the world of commerce. By 1450, he was making trips to Bruges, a major commercial hub, and by 1453, he had settled there.

In Bruges, Caxton became a successful businessman and eventually rose to the position of governor of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of London. 

His trade connections brought him into the orbit of the Burgundian court, where he served in the household of Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy, the sister of King Edward IV, of England. 

It was during his travels to Cologne that Caxton became fascinated by the burgeoning printing industry, which significantly influenced his later career. In 1473, Caxton set up his first printing press in Bruges, in collaboration with Flemish printer Colard Mansion. He later established a printing press at Westminster in 1476, becoming the first Englishman to do so. Caxton printed over 100 works, including many he translated himself. Below is a painting by Daniel Maclise of Caxton showing the first specimen of his printing to King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth at the Almonry, Westminster.

APPEARANCE There are no contemporary portraits of William Caxton, so his exact appearance remains unknown. However, engravings from later periods often depict him as a dignified, bearded man, dressed in the typical merchant attire of the 15th century.

FASHION Caxton, as a successful merchant and later a printer, would likely have worn clothing befitting his status. This would have included well-made, but not overly extravagant, garments typical of a prosperous middle-class Englishman in the 15th century, possibly including doublets, hose, and cloaks.

CHARACTER William Caxton is often depicted as a diligent, enterprising, and forward-thinking individual. His commitment to bringing the printing press to England and his efforts to standardize the English language suggest a man dedicated to knowledge, progress, and the promotion of English culture.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Caxton’s extensive work in translating and printing literature suggests he had an appreciation for storytelling and the subtleties of language, which might indicate a refined, perhaps dry, sense of humor.

RELATIONSHIPS Details about Caxton's personal relationships are scarce. There is no record of him marrying or having children. His closest relationships were likely professional, with influential figures such as Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy, and Flemish printer Colard Mansion.

MONEY AND FAME Caxton's printing business was successful, and he likely accumulated wealth. However, his fame was primarily posthumous, recognized for his contribution to the English language and culture.

FOOD AND DRINK As a man of means, Caxton likely enjoyed the typical fare of the time, including bread, meats, and ale or wine.

MUSIC AND ARTS Caxton’s primary contribution to the arts was through literature, though he would have been familiar with the courtly music and arts of Burgundy during his time in the service of the Duchess of Burgundy.

LITERATURE William Caxton is a monumental figure in English literature, not only for printing but also for his translations. The first book ever printed in English was a translation by Caxton himself of a French courtly romance written by Raoul Lefèvre, chaplain to Philip III, Duke of Burgundy, Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye. Caxton, with the assistance of Colard Mansion and Johann Veldener, printed his translation in 1473 or 1474 in Bruges. He went on to produce the first printed English translation of numerous works, including Le Morte d’Arthur and on March 26, 1484, Aesop's Fables. His printing of The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer is particularly significant.

Caxton's 1476 edition of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales

William Caxton started out as a humble apprentice to a silk merchant in London. After his boss kicked the bucket, Caxton decided to pack his bags and head off to Bruges, Belgium. Now, Bruges was a real posh place back then, full of fancy folks and fine wine. Caxton fit right in. He even became the big cheese of a bunch of merchants from London.

On his travels, Caxton stumbled upon this newfangled invention called a printing press. He was so impressed that he decided to give it a go himself, teaming up with a Flemish fellow named Colard Mansion. Together, they started cranking out books like there was no tomorrow.

Things got even more interesting when Margaret of Burgundy, the sister of King Edward IV, showed up in Bruges. She and her husband, the Duke of Burgundy, became fast friends with Caxton. And guess what? Margaret asked Caxton to translate a bunch of stories from Homer's Iliad. 

When Caxton returned to England, everyone was going nuts for his translations. So, he decided to set up his own printing press in Westminster. The first book he printed there was Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, but he went on to publish all sorts of stuff, from chivalric romances to classical works. 

Now, Caxton wasn't the greatest translator in the world. Sometimes, he'd just grab a French word and stick it into an English sentence without even thinking about it. But that didn't stop people from loving his work. In fact, his translations helped to make the dialect he used, Chancery English, the standard language throughout England.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Caxton's hobbies and sports are not explicitly mentioned. However, as a man of his time, he may have enjoyed hunting, falconry, or other outdoor activities. His primary leisure activity was likely reading and translating texts.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Caxton’s printing press was a technological marvel of its time, requiring a good understanding of mechanics and the precise measurement of type and layout.

As a merchant and diplomat, Caxton would have had to deal with numerical calculations and practical knowledge.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Caxton's religious views were likely in line with the Catholic Church, which was the dominant religion of his time, and his work included Christian texts However, his philosophical and theological views are not well documented.

POLITICS Caxton was not directly involved in politics, but his work had political implications, especially in how it influenced the spread of English language and literature. His connections with the Duchess of Burgundy and the English court also placed him in proximity to political power.

Engraving of William Caxton presenting a copy of Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye to Margaret of Burgundy

SCANDAL There are no major scandals associated with William Caxton. His life was largely focused on his work and contributions to literature and printing.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Given his extensive travels and work, he likely maintained a reasonable level of health.

HOMES William Caxton lived in Bruges for a significant portion of his life before returning to England, where he set up his printing press at Westminster. He likely lived near his press to oversee his work closely.

TRAVEL Caxton traveled extensively for his trade, including trips between England, Bruges, and Cologne. His travels exposed him to the early developments in printing, which he later brought to England.

DEATH William Caxton died in 1491 or 1492, with the exact date unknown. He was buried in St. Margaret's Church, Westminster.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Caxton has been featured in various historical accounts, biographies, and documentaries that explore the history of printing and English literature.

ACHIEVEMENTS William Caxton's achievements include introducing the printing press to England, printing the first book in English, standardizing the English language, and publishing over 100 books, many of which were crucial to the development of English literature. His work laid the foundation for the mass production of books in England, significantly impacting education, literacy, and the dissemination of knowledge.