Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Scott, John (fl.1530)

605210Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 51 — Scott, John (fl.1530)1897Edward Gordon Duff

SCOTT or SCOT, JOHN (fl. 1530), printer in London, may, as Herbert suggests, have been an apprentice of Wynkyn de Worde. His first book, ‘The Body of Policie,’ was issued in May 1521, when he was living ‘in St. Pulker's parisshe without Newgate.’ It is clear that about this time, besides printing books in his own name, he printed some for Wynkyn de Worde. In 1528 he was printing in St. Paul's Churchyard, and eight books are known bearing this address, though only two are dated. In 1537 he had removed to ‘Fauster’ Lane in St. Leonard's parish, where he printed six books, among them being the ballad of the battle of Agincourt and the still more celebrated ballad of the ‘Nutbrowne Maid.’ He also was for a time living ‘at George Alley gate’ in St. Botolph's parish, but the only book known printed at at this place is undated. At the present time twenty-five books are known to have been issued by this printer, all of them being of extreme rarity. His disappearance in 1537 and the appearance of another printer of the same name at Edinburgh in 1539 have led to their being often mistaken for the same man, but the characteristics of their work show that the two printers are distinct [see Scott or Scot, John, fl. 1550)].

[Herbert's Typogr. Antiq. i. 317–18.]

E. G. D.