Humphrey Toy facts for kids
Humphrey Toy (born 1537 – died 16 October 1577) was a British bookseller and publisher. He followed in his father's footsteps, Robert Toy, who was also a bookseller. Humphrey Toy is famous for publishing the first translation of the New Testament in Welsh in 1567. This important book was translated from the original Greek by his good friend, William Salesbury. Toy also published the first Welsh translation of the Book of Common Prayer, also translated by Salesbury.
Early Life
Humphrey Toy was born around 1537. His father, Robert Toy, was a bookseller, and his mother passed away in 1546. The Toy family had roots in Wales. In 1551, Humphrey started studying at Queens' College, Cambridge. He was a "sizar," which meant he received some financial help in exchange for certain duties. However, he left college before finishing his degree.
After his father died in 1556, most of Robert's property went to Humphrey's stepmother, Elizabeth Toy. It was planned that Humphrey would inherit it after her death. Until she passed away around 1558, Humphrey helped his stepmother run his father's bookshop and publishing business. During this time, Humphrey Toy married Margaret Revell.
A Career in Books
Humphrey Toy joined the Stationer's Company in August 1560. This company was like a guild for printers and booksellers in London. He held important roles there, serving as a "renter warden" from 1561 to 1563. Later, he became an "underwarden" twice, in 1571 and 1573.
While working at the Stationer's Company, Toy took full control of the bookshop he inherited. His shop was called "the Helmet" because of a helmet sign outside. He had a long lease for this shop's location. Toy became a very active printer and publisher, especially interested in religious books. He worked with Christopher Plantin from Antwerp, who helped him get many European Protestant books. Toy also had a disagreement with another printer, Richard Jugge, about who had the right to print Bibles in English.
Working with William Salesbury
Because of his Welsh background, Humphrey Toy became good friends with the Welsh scholar William Salesbury. They worked together on many projects. In 1567, Toy paid for and published Salesbury's translation of the New Testament in Welsh. This was the very first time the New Testament was translated into Welsh directly from the original Greek.
In the same year, Toy also paid for and published Salesbury's translation of the Book of Common Prayer into Welsh. This was also the first translation of this important prayer book into Welsh. Both the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer were printed by Henry Bynneman. Humphrey Toy managed the process and provided the money. The first page of the Book of Common Prayer even thanked Toy for covering "the costes and charges" (the costs and expenses) of the publication. After these major works, Toy also published a guide to Welsh pronunciation and other smaller books for Salesbury.
Later Life and Legacy
Humphrey Toy passed away on 16 October 1577. He was buried at All Saints' Church, Bristol. After his death, his wife Margaret and his apprentice Thomas Chard took over his business. They continued his work in both publishing and selling books. Thomas Chard ran the Helmet shop until 1585. The shop then changed owners several times before it closed down in 1607.
Today, about thirty books printed by Humphrey Toy still exist. One of the most famous is an edition of Richard Grafton's Chronicle, a historical record, which Toy printed.]
