John Martyn (publisher)
Encyclopedia
John Martyn, or Martin, (died in 1680) was a prominent London
publisher and bookseller in the second half of the 17th century.
Martyn started in business in 1649, in partnership with John Ridley; their shop was at the sign of the Castle in Fleet Street
, near Ram Alley. In 1651, Martyn began an independent establishment at the sign of the Bell in St. Paul's
Churchyard, "without Temple bar." He continued there for the remainder of his career. He often worked in partnership with other London stationers
; he was joined at the Bell by James Allestry, who was his partner there from 1652 until 1664, when Allestry opened his own shop at the sign of the Rose and Crown. They were joined by Thomas Dicas, from 1660 to Dicas's death in 1669. In 1663 Allestry and Martyn became the monopoly publishers for the Royal Society
; Martyn continued in this role after Allestry's death in November 1670.
Allestry and Martyn, and then Martyn alone, served as the Royal Society's publishers through the crucial first two decades of the organization's existence. They issued all of its printed documents, including the Philosophical Transactions; they published Thomas Sprat
's History of the Royal Society (1667
), and Robert Hooke
's Micrographia
(1665
). On his own, Martyn was an accomplished publisher of law books and of texts in Latin
and Greek
; his edition of Thomas Blount's legal dictionary Νομο-λεχικον ("Novo-lexicon," 1671
) is a noteworthy example.
Martyn was responsible for a wide range of books, including the religious works that were so characteristic of his century, like Edward Wetenhall
's Enter Into Thy Closet, or A Method and Order for Private Devotion (1666
). He issued Francis North
's A Philosophical Essay of Music and John Milton
's The History of Britain
, both in 1677
; and he published medical works, like the London Pharmacopoeia of the Royal College of Physicians
(also 1677).
He also published two important works of English literature. He and Allestry issued Samuel Butler
's Hudibras
, Part 2, in 1664
; with Henry Herringman
, Martyn published Parts 1 and 2 of Hudibras together in 1674
; and he and Herringman issued the complete 3-part work in 1678
. Martyn also partnered with Herringman and Richard Marriot
for the second Beaumont and Fletcher folio
of 1679
.
In 1681, Martyn's widow donated a silver bowl to the Stationers Company
in her husband's memory.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
publisher and bookseller in the second half of the 17th century.
Martyn started in business in 1649, in partnership with John Ridley; their shop was at the sign of the Castle in Fleet Street
Fleet Street
Fleet Street is a street in central London, United Kingdom, named after the River Fleet, a stream that now flows underground. It was the home of the British press until the 1980s...
, near Ram Alley. In 1651, Martyn began an independent establishment at the sign of the Bell in St. Paul's
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
Churchyard, "without Temple bar." He continued there for the remainder of his career. He often worked in partnership with other London stationers
Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers
The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Stationers' Company was founded in 1403; it received a Royal Charter in 1557...
; he was joined at the Bell by James Allestry, who was his partner there from 1652 until 1664, when Allestry opened his own shop at the sign of the Rose and Crown. They were joined by Thomas Dicas, from 1660 to Dicas's death in 1669. In 1663 Allestry and Martyn became the monopoly publishers for the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
; Martyn continued in this role after Allestry's death in November 1670.
Allestry and Martyn, and then Martyn alone, served as the Royal Society's publishers through the crucial first two decades of the organization's existence. They issued all of its printed documents, including the Philosophical Transactions; they published Thomas Sprat
Thomas Sprat
Thomas Sprat , English divine, was born at Beaminster, Dorset, and educated at Wadham College, Oxford, where he held a fellowship from 1657 to 1670.Having taken orders he became a prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral in 1660...
's History of the Royal Society (1667
1667 in literature
-Events:* The Roman Catholic Church places the works of René Descartes on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum.* Molière's play, Tartuffe, is banned.* Edmund Castell is imprisoned for debt....
), and Robert Hooke
Robert Hooke
Robert Hooke FRS was an English natural philosopher, architect and polymath.His adult life comprised three distinct periods: as a scientific inquirer lacking money; achieving great wealth and standing through his reputation for hard work and scrupulous honesty following the great fire of 1666, but...
's Micrographia
Micrographia
Micrographia is a historic book by Robert Hooke, detailing the then thirty year-old Hooke's observations through various lenses. Published in September 1665, the first major publication of the Royal Society, it was the first scientific best-seller, inspiring a wide public interest in the new...
(1665
1665 in literature
The year 1665 in literature involved some significant events.-Events:*November 7 - The London Gazette is published for the first time.* Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society begins publication....
). On his own, Martyn was an accomplished publisher of law books and of texts in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
; his edition of Thomas Blount's legal dictionary Νομο-λεχικον ("Novo-lexicon," 1671
1671 in literature
The year 1671 in literature involved some significant events.-Events:*Nell Gwyn retires from the stage.*On November 9, the Duke's Company open their new venue, the Dorset Garden Theatre.-New books:...
) is a noteworthy example.
Martyn was responsible for a wide range of books, including the religious works that were so characteristic of his century, like Edward Wetenhall
Edward Wetenhall
Edward Wetenhall was an English bishop of the Church of Ireland. His name is also spelled Wettenhall, Whetenhall, Whitnall, Withnoll, and Wythnall.-Life:...
's Enter Into Thy Closet, or A Method and Order for Private Devotion (1666
1666 in literature
The year 1666 in literature involved some significant events.-Events:*2 September - Samuel Pepys begins recording details of the Great Fire of London in his diary.*Aphra Behn goes to Antwerp to work as a government spy.-New books:...
). He issued Francis North
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford
Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford PC KC was the third son of the 4th Baron North, and was created Baron Guilford in 1683, after becoming Lord Keeper of the Great Seal in succession to Lord Nottingham....
's A Philosophical Essay of Music and John Milton
John Milton
John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, a scholarly man of letters, and a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell...
's The History of Britain
History of Britain (John Milton)
The History of Britain, that Part especially now called England; from the first traditional Beginning, continued to the Norman Conquest. Collected out of the antientest and best Authours thereof, a prose work by the English poet John Milton, was published in 1670...
, both in 1677
1677 in literature
The year 1677 in literature involved some significant events.-Events:* Roger Morrice begins his Entring Book.* Francis North's A Philosophical Essay of Music published....
; and he published medical works, like the London Pharmacopoeia of the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
(also 1677).
He also published two important works of English literature. He and Allestry issued Samuel Butler
Samuel Butler (poet)
Samuel Butler was a poet and satirist. Born in Strensham, Worcestershire and baptised 14 February 1613, he is remembered now chiefly for a long satirical burlesque poem on Puritanism entitled Hudibras.-Biography:...
's Hudibras
Hudibras
Hudibras is an English mock heroic narrative poem from the 17th century written by Samuel Butler.-Purpose:The work is a satirical polemic upon Roundheads, Puritans, Presbyterians and many of the other factions involved in the English Civil War...
, Part 2, in 1664
1664 in literature
The year 1664 in literature involved some significant events.-Events:* Sir William Davenant's "dramatic opera" Macbeth, adapted from Shakespeare's play, premiers on November 5....
; with Henry Herringman
Henry Herringman
Henry Herringman was a prominent London bookseller and publisher in the second half of the 17th century. He is especially noted for his publications in English Renaissance drama and English Restoration drama; he was the first publisher of the works of John Dryden...
, Martyn published Parts 1 and 2 of Hudibras together in 1674
1674 in literature
The year 1674 in literature involved some significant events.-Events:* Isaac de Benserade is elected to the French Academy, along with Pierre Daniel Huet.* Thomas Ken and Izaak Walton visit Rome together.* The new Theatre Royal, Drury Lane opens in March...
; and he and Herringman issued the complete 3-part work in 1678
1678 in literature
The year 1678 in literature involved some significant events.-Events:*Thomas Otway, escaping from an unhappy love affair, obtains a commission in the army.*Printer Joseph Moxon becomes the first tradesman to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society....
. Martyn also partnered with Herringman and Richard Marriot
John and Richard Marriot
John Marriot and his son Richard Marriot were prominent London publishers and booksellers in the seventeenth century. For a portion of their careers, the 1645–57 period, they were partners in a family business....
for the second Beaumont and Fletcher folio
Beaumont and Fletcher folios
The Beaumont and Fletcher folios were two large folio collections of the stage plays of John Fletcher and his collaborators. The first was issued in 1647, and the second in 1679. The two collections were important in preserving many works of English Renaissance drama.-The first folio, 1647:The 1647...
of 1679
1679 in literature
This article lists some of the most significant events of the year 1679 in literature.-Events:*John Locke returns to England from France.*Étienne Baluze becomes almoner to King Louis XIV of France....
.
In 1681, Martyn's widow donated a silver bowl to the Stationers Company
Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers
The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Stationers' Company was founded in 1403; it received a Royal Charter in 1557...
in her husband's memory.