Thomas Davidson (printer) facts for kids

Thomas Davidson was an important printer in Scotland during the time of King James V. He was given special permission to be the official printer for the King. Thomas was born in Birse, Aberdeenshire, in the early 1500s. His family owned land near Huntly and also on the estates of Monymusk monastery.

Thomas Davidson did not stay in Aberdeenshire. He became an important citizen, known as a Burgess, in Edinburgh by 1528. This was the year King James V finally started ruling on his own, after being too young to rule for fifteen years. Davidson likely started his printing business in Edinburgh around this time.

Thomas Davidson's Printing Work

Over the next ten years or so, Thomas Davidson printed many important books. One of his first big projects was the very first edition of The hystory and croniklis of Scotland by John Bellenden, printed in 1536. This book was a history of Scotland.

Printing Laws for the King

King James V also asked Davidson to print an important book called The New Actis and Constitutionis of Parliament. This was the first time that Scottish laws, or "legislation," were ever printed. It took many years to prepare, but it finally came out in 1542. Two of the three copies that still exist today were printed on vellum, which is a special type of treated animal skin.

Other Books Printed

Thomas Davidson is also thought to have printed other works. One was a book called The Palice of Honour. This was a long poem by a famous Scottish poet and churchman named Gavin Douglas. This edition, thought to be from around 1540, is now lost. Interestingly, when Davidson was a child, Gavin Douglas was in charge of the church lands at Monymusk, where Davidson's family also had land.

More About Thomas Davidson

Thomas Davidson played a key role in spreading knowledge and laws in Scotland through his printing press. His work helped make important historical records and new laws available to more people. He was a significant figure in the early history of printing in Scotland.

Sources

• Printing in Scotland, by Duncan Glen
• Imprentit: 550 Years of the Scottish Printed Word, National Library of Scotland
• Auchenhamperis and Monymusk references for Clan Davidson