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

This is the first book to demonstrate how mnemotechnic cultural commonplaces can be used to account for the look, style, and authorized content of some of the most influential books produced in early modern Britain. In his hybrid role as stationer, publisher, entrepreneur, and author, John Day, master printer of Englands Reformation, produced the premier navigation handbook, state-approved catechism and metrical psalms, Book of Martyrs, Englands first printed emblem book, and Queen Elizabeths Prayer Book. By virtue of finely honed book trade skills, dogged commitment to evangelical nation-building, and astute business acumen (including going after those who infringed his privileges), Day mobilized the typographical imaginary to establish what amounts toand still remainsa potent and viable Protestant Memory Art.