Sarah Hyde facts for kids

Sarah Hyde (died 15 November 1750) was an important Irish printer and bookseller. She took over her family's business and became a successful woman in the book trade during the 18th century.

Early Life and Family Business

Sarah Hyde was born Sarah Ray. Her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Ray, were well-known booksellers and printers in Dublin. Sarah was their only daughter.

Not much is known about her early life. She married John Hyde, who was also a printer and bookseller, on June 18, 1714.

Taking Over the Business

After her husband, John Hyde, passed away in November 1728, Sarah took charge of their family business. Their shop was located on Dame Street.

She continued to provide stationery to Trinity College until 1747. This shows she kept important business connections.

Working with Other Printers

From 1728 to 1732, Sarah Hyde rented a printing house. It was located in the Stationers' Hall on Cork Hill. She worked with Eliphal Dobson II, who had been a partner with her husband.

After Eliphal Dobson II died, Sarah continued her partnership with his widow, Jane Dobson, until 1734. Working with other printers was a common way to do business in Dublin at that time.

Publishing Jonathan Swift's Work

Sarah Hyde also had dealings with the famous writer Jonathan Swift. Her husband had known Swift well.

In 1733, a disagreement happened between a London printer, Benjamin Motte, and George Faulkner over who had the right to publish Swift's work. Sarah Hyde helped by sending Motte's letters to Swift.

In 1734, she published Swift's poem On Poetry. This version of the poem has been studied by experts.

Focusing on Bookselling

Sarah Hyde stopped the printing part of her business sometime before October 1734. She rented her printing press and building to Richard Reilly.

After this, she focused mainly on being a bookseller. Reilly still printed some works for her, like Whole proceeding of the siege of Drogheda in 1735. This book had been out of print for a long time.

Throughout the 1730s and 1740s, Sarah Hyde often worked with other printers on different projects. This type of teamwork was very common in the book trade in Dublin.

Later Years and Retirement

In January 1745, Sarah Hyde moved her business to a new location on Dame Street.

On March 28, 1749, she announced in the Dublin Journal that she planned to retire. All of her books and stock were sold at an auction in April 1749. She also asked everyone who owed her money to pay by July 1749.

Sarah Hyde passed away on November 15, 1750, in Donnybrook, Dublin. Her will mentioned that she had one son, Thomas, and four daughters.

See also

• List of women printers and publishers before 1800