Thomas Adams (publisher)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Adams was an English publisher
. Born into a yeoman
's family, he became an apprentice to Oliver Wilkes, a member of the Stationers' Company
, on 29 September 1582; he was transferred to a new master, George Bishop, on 14 October 1583. Adams himself was admitted to the Company on 15 October 1583. By 1591, he had established himself as a printer based at the sign of the White Lion at St. Paul's Churchyard
in London
. His business may have started when printer Robert Walley transferred ownership of a vast collection of books and ballads to Adams, but existing copies indicate that Adams had these works printed for him by others.
In 1603, he branched out to the music publishing business, financing or printing several works by John Dowland
(including The Third and Last Booke of Songes or Aires in 1603 and Andreas Ornithoparcus his Micrologus in 1609), his son Robert Dowland
(Varietie of Lute-Lessons and A Musicall Banquet both in 1610), and Thomas Ravenscroft
. John Dowland may have also considered Adams as publisher for Lachrimae
, but ultimately decided against it.
In 1611, Adams moved to the sign of the Bell at St Paul's, where he would spend the remainder of his life. That same year, he purchased the rights to sixty important works of his former master, Bishop. It was during this period that Adams came into conflict with William Barley
over patents to print several works. He ascended to the title of upper warden at the Stationers' Company in 1616. He is the likely publisher of Orlando Gibbons
's Fantasies of III Parts (1620)—the title page bears the inscription, "London. At the Bell in St. Pauls churchyard". Adams died sometime between March and May of 1620. His wife Elizabeth continued printing works until 1625, when she sold the rights to Adams' former apprentice, Andrew Hebb.
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
. Born into a yeoman
Yeoman
Yeoman refers chiefly to a free man owning his own farm, especially from the Elizabethan era to the 17th century. Work requiring a great deal of effort or labor, such as would be done by a yeoman farmer, came to be described as "yeoman's work"...
's family, he became an apprentice to Oliver Wilkes, a member of the Stationers' Company
Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers
The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Stationers' Company was founded in 1403; it received a Royal Charter in 1557...
, on 29 September 1582; he was transferred to a new master, George Bishop, on 14 October 1583. Adams himself was admitted to the Company on 15 October 1583. By 1591, he had established himself as a printer based at the sign of the White Lion at St. Paul's Churchyard
Old St Paul's Cathedral
Old St Paul's Cathedral is a name used to refer to the medieval cathedral of the City of London which until 1666 stood on the site of the present St Paul's Cathedral. Built between 1087 and 1314 and dedicated to St Paul, the cathedral was the fourth church on the site at Ludgate Hill...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. His business may have started when printer Robert Walley transferred ownership of a vast collection of books and ballads to Adams, but existing copies indicate that Adams had these works printed for him by others.
In 1603, he branched out to the music publishing business, financing or printing several works by John Dowland
John Dowland
John Dowland was an English Renaissance composer, singer, and lutenist. He is best known today for his melancholy songs such as "Come, heavy sleep" , "Come again", "Flow my tears", "I saw my Lady weepe" and "In darkness let me dwell", but his instrumental music has undergone a major revival, and has...
(including The Third and Last Booke of Songes or Aires in 1603 and Andreas Ornithoparcus his Micrologus in 1609), his son Robert Dowland
Robert Dowland
Robert Dowland , son of composer John Dowland, was an English lutenist and composer. He was the author of two collections of music - "A Varietie of Lute Lessons" and "A Musical Banquet". He succeeded his father as royal lutenist in 1626....
(Varietie of Lute-Lessons and A Musicall Banquet both in 1610), and Thomas Ravenscroft
Thomas Ravenscroft
Thomas Ravenscroft was an English musician, theorist and editor, notable as a composer of rounds and catches, and especially for compiling collections of British folk music.He probably sang in the choir of St...
. John Dowland may have also considered Adams as publisher for Lachrimae
Flow my tears
Flow my Tears is a lute song by the accomplished lutenist and composer John Dowland.Originally composed as an instrumental under the name Lachrimae pavane in 1596, it is Dowland's most famous ayre, and became his signature song, literally as well as metaphorically: he would occasionally sign his...
, but ultimately decided against it.
In 1611, Adams moved to the sign of the Bell at St Paul's, where he would spend the remainder of his life. That same year, he purchased the rights to sixty important works of his former master, Bishop. It was during this period that Adams came into conflict with William Barley
William Barley
William Barley was an English bookseller and publisher. He completed an apprenticeship as a draper in 1587, but was soon working in the London book trade. As a freeman of the Drapers' Company, he was embroiled in a dispute between it and the Stationers' Company over the rights of drapers to...
over patents to print several works. He ascended to the title of upper warden at the Stationers' Company in 1616. He is the likely publisher of Orlando Gibbons
Orlando Gibbons
Orlando Gibbons was an English composer, virginalist and organist of the late Tudor and early Jacobean periods...
's Fantasies of III Parts (1620)—the title page bears the inscription, "London. At the Bell in St. Pauls churchyard". Adams died sometime between March and May of 1620. His wife Elizabeth continued printing works until 1625, when she sold the rights to Adams' former apprentice, Andrew Hebb.