Elisabeth Pickering facts for kids

Elisabeth Pickering (born around 1510, died 1562) was an important English printer. She was the first woman in England to print books using her own family name. This was a big deal in her time!

Elisabeth Pickering: A Pioneering Printer

This is a colophon from a book Elisabeth Pickering printed in 1540 or 1541. It shows her name as the printer.

Many people believe Elisabeth Pickering was the first English woman to print books using her own name. Some historians say that a woman printer was active in York even earlier, but Elisabeth Pickering is known as one of the most famous early women in printing.

Her Printing Business

Elisabeth Pickering was married to Robert Redman, who was a printer of law books in London. He printed books from 1525 until he passed away in October 1540. After his death, Elisabeth took over the business.

Within just nine months of her husband's passing, Elisabeth Pickering printed thirteen different books. Eleven of these books were printed under her own name, which was very unusual for a woman at that time. One important book she printed was an edition of the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta is a famous document from 1215 that set out important rights and laws. After this busy period, she sold the printing business to another printer named William Middleton.

Her Family Life

Elisabeth Pickering was married four times during her life. Before she married Robert Redman in 1537, she was married to a Mr. Jackson. She had two daughters with him, Lucy and Elizabeth. With Robert Redman, she had two more daughters, Alice and Matilda.

After Robert Redman died, she married William Cholmeley. He was a lawyer. Some historians think he might have been involved in an effort in 1542 to officially recognize the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers. This was a powerful group of printers and booksellers in London.

After William Cholmeley passed away, Elisabeth married his relative, Ranulph Cholmeley. Ranulph was a very important lawyer. He was the Recorder of London from 1553 to 1563. This meant he was a chief legal officer for the city. Later, he became the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, which was a very high court position. Ranulph Cholmeley was key in getting the Stationers' Company officially recognized. It is thought that Elisabeth's interest in this matter was connected to her husband's actions.

Elisabeth Pickering died in October 1562. She was buried in the St. Dunstan-in-the-West Churchyard in London, England.

See also

• List of women printers and publishers before 1800