This entry introduces the early modern Scottish stationer and printer, Agnes Campbell, Lady Roseburn (1637–1716). After the death of her husband in 1676, Campbell became the wealthiest and most prominent printer in Scotland, using the imprint “The Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson.” She did this by exploiting her privileges as the King’s Printer, as printer to the Town and University of Edinburgh (all titles she inherited as a widow), and later as printer to the General Assembly. Campbell was a skilled businesswoman, founding the first papermill in Scotland and operating an extensive trade network. Like her competitors in the lively Scottish market for print, she was not above indulging in sharp practices. Despite her commercial success, Campbell was plagued with accusations of incompetence: male detractors and rivals criticized her for bad typography. In this she is comparable to a number of other women stationers from the early modern period. Rather than setting out to determine whether her typography was in fact bad, this entry argues that the perception of poor typography did not impede the success of this book trade woman. The values of the book and print trades were both aesthetic and strongly commercial. Campbell’s achievements depended not only on her inherited privileges, but on her canny ability to fight for her legal rights and turn the law to her advantage.

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Agnes Campbell, Lady Roseburn

  • Rachel Stenner

摘要

This entry introduces the early modern Scottish stationer and printer, Agnes Campbell, Lady Roseburn (1637–1716). After the death of her husband in 1676, Campbell became the wealthiest and most prominent printer in Scotland, using the imprint “The Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson.” She did this by exploiting her privileges as the King’s Printer, as printer to the Town and University of Edinburgh (all titles she inherited as a widow), and later as printer to the General Assembly. Campbell was a skilled businesswoman, founding the first papermill in Scotland and operating an extensive trade network. Like her competitors in the lively Scottish market for print, she was not above indulging in sharp practices. Despite her commercial success, Campbell was plagued with accusations of incompetence: male detractors and rivals criticized her for bad typography. In this she is comparable to a number of other women stationers from the early modern period. Rather than setting out to determine whether her typography was in fact bad, this entry argues that the perception of poor typography did not impede the success of this book trade woman. The values of the book and print trades were both aesthetic and strongly commercial. Campbell’s achievements depended not only on her inherited privileges, but on her canny ability to fight for her legal rights and turn the law to her advantage.