Kara on William Caxton

William Caxton (Kara Beasley)

William Caxton was born in Kent, England in 1422, and died in London, England in 1491. He was the first English printer as well as a translator and publisher. Caxton had a major influence on English literature. His first piece of literature he translated in March of 1469 was Raoul’s “Le Fèvre’s Recueil des histoires de Troye.” In the epilogue of Book III that he translated, said his, “pen became worn, his hand weary, his eye dimmed.” Because he was having a hard time translating, he did not finish it until September 19, 1471 where he lived in Cologne and started to learn how to print. He printed several books from French to English while he lived in Bruges, then returned to England and established his press at Westminster. Caxton’s first dated book printed in English emerged on November 18, 1477. Unfortunately he had no originality but commissioned special books for kings, nobles, and the rich. He liked to cater to the general public so he printed books on chivalric romance, conduct, morality, history, and philosophy. His first illustrated book he printed in English in 1481 was an encyclopedia called “Myrrour of the Worlde.” Caxton printed almost all English literature available at the time including “Canterbury Tales,” poems by Chaucer, much of John Lydgate’s works, “Confessio amantis,” and “Morte Darthur.” By the time of Caxton’s death, had translated 24 books and published 100 books of various kinds