Richard Grafton was an influential English printer and bookseller who lived during the 16th century. He is most renowned for his significant contributions to the printing and publication of books during the English Reformation.
Grafton was born in the early 1520s and initially trained as an apprentice under the esteemed printer Wynkyn de Worde. Following his apprenticeship, Grafton established his printing press and bookshop in London, where he became a prominent figure in the English printing industry.
During his career, Grafton printed a wide range of books, including religious texts, historical works, and legal publications. His most notable achievement lies in his role as the official printer to King Henry VIII. Grafton was granted the royal appointment in 1541, which conferred upon him the exclusive privilege to print official materials such as statutes, royal proclamations, and other government documents. This appointment allowed him to operate at the forefront of English printing and greatly elevated his reputation as a printer.
Additionally, Grafton played a crucial role in producing and publishing numerous religious texts that promoted the Protestant Reformation. He was involved in the printing of English translations of the Bible, most notably the second edition of the Great Bible, which was authorized by King Henry VIII and became widely used throughout England.
Richard Grafton's contributions to the printing of religious and government materials established him as a prominent figure in 16th-century England. His works continue to be recognized for their significant influence on the dissemination of knowledge during the English Reformation and the development of printing in England.
