The Printer as Author in Early Modern English Book History: John Day and the Fabrication of a Protestant Memory Art

John Day, a master printer of England's Reformation, produced the premier navigation handbook, state-approved catechism, and metrical psalms, as well as England's first printed emblem book and Queen Elizabeth's Prayer Book. He mobilized the typographical imaginary to establish a Protestant Memory Art, which remains potent and viable today.

Format: Hardback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking work is the first to explore the use of mnemotechnic cultural commonplaces to account for the visual aesthetics, stylistic choices, and authorized content of some of the most influential books produced in early modern Britain. John Day, a versatile individual who served as a stationer, publisher, entrepreneur, and author, played a pivotal role in the printing industry during the English Reformation. As the master printer of England, he produced a remarkable array of publications, including the premier navigation handbook, state-approved catechism, and metrical psalms. Notably, he also authored the Book of Martyrs, which marked the first printing of an emblem book in England, and Queen Elizabeth's Prayer Book.

Day's exceptional skills in the book trade, combined with his unwavering commitment to evangelical nation-building and astute business acumen, propelled him to mobilize the typographical imaginary. Through his endeavors, he established a powerful and enduring Protestant Memory Art that continues to resonate today.

This groundbreaking work delves into the intricate relationship between visual aesthetics, stylistic choices, and the authorized content of early modern British books. By employing mnemotechnic cultural commonplaces, the author sheds light on the ways in which these texts were designed to engage readers on multiple levels, including cognitive, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. The book offers a rich and nuanced analysis of the various techniques and strategies employed by printers, authors, and publishers to create memorable and impactful works of literature.

Furthermore, the author explores the broader cultural and historical context in which these books were produced. By examining the social, political, and religious dynamics of early modern Britain, the book provides a deeper understanding of the role that literature played in shaping public opinion, promoting religious reform, and consolidating national identity. The book's insights into the power of print and the role of memory in shaping cultural identity are particularly relevant in the contemporary world, where the rapid dissemination of information and the rise of digital media have challenged the traditional methods of memory and knowledge transmission.

In conclusion, this groundbreaking work is a significant contribution to the field of early modern studies. By exploring the use of mnemotechnic cultural commonplaces to account for the visual aesthetics, stylistic choices, and authorized content of early modern British books, the author offers a fresh and innovative perspective on this important period of literary history. The book's insights into the power of print, the role of memory in shaping cultural identity, and the broader cultural and historical context in which these books were produced are valuable to scholars, students, and anyone interested in the study of literature and culture.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367145880