Thomas Wight facts for kids
Thomas Wight was a bookseller and publisher in London around 400 years ago. He also worked as a draper, selling cloth. Wight became famous for printing many important books, especially some of the very first law books written in English.
Contents
Thomas Wight's Publishing Career
Thomas Wight worked with his father, John Wight, who was also a draper. Together, they published seven versions of a book called A Regiment for the Sea by William Bourne. This was the first book about sailing and navigation written entirely in English.
By 1599, Wight was mostly focused on publishing books. He became part of a special group that had the only right to print law books. This meant he published many of the first English law books ever printed.
Important Law Books Published
Wight published several key books that helped people understand English law:
- In 1600, he published a book by Fulbeck. It taught law students how to study, how to argue cases, and what other books to read.
- Also in 1600, Wight published a book by Pulton. This was the first book to try and explain all of England's criminal laws in one place.
- Fulbecke's book from 1602 was one of the first about international law. This is about rules that countries follow when dealing with each other.
- In 1604, he published a book by Saint German. It was first written in Latin in 1523. This book explained English law through a talk between a churchman and a law student. They discussed what law is, its moral rules, and what Parliament could do.
- Manwood's book from 1598 explained the laws of the forest, called Carta de Foresta. These laws were very important to English gentlemen who owned land and hunted. This book was printed many times.
- Kitchin's book from 1598 described manorial law. This was about laws for local villages and estates, including rules about land and farming.
Publishing Old Legal Records
Wight also printed copies of the "Yearbooks". These were notes taken by law students. They are some of the earliest records of English legal cases, going all the way back to the 11th century.
- Les Reports de Les Cases Conteinus in les Ans Vint Primer, et Apres in Temps del Roy Henry Le Siz: Communement Appelle, The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, Nouelment Reuiew & Correge in Diuers Lieux. London: In Aedibus Thomae Wight, 1601.
- Syntomotaxia: Del Second Part Del Roy Henrie le Sixt, Per Quel Facilment Cy Troueront Soubs Apt Titles, Touts Choses Conteinus en le Dit Liuer. London: Printed by Thomas Wight, 1601.
Copyright and Successors
Thomas Wight was also important in early talks about copyright law. Copyright protects authors and publishers by giving them rights to their work.
When Wight passed away around 1608, another famous London publisher named Edmund Weaver took over his business. Weaver had started as Wight's apprentice, learning the trade from him.
See also
- Worshipful Company of Drapers
