Dr Johnson's Printer: The Life of William Strahan

William Strahan was one of the leading figures in the book trade of the eighteenth century. As King’s Printer, a member of Parliament and the owner of the greatest printing house in London, he stood at the head of his craft: in addition to his long friendship and business connection with Johnson, he was the publisher of Gibbon, Adam Smith, Hume and Robertson. His intimacy with Benjamin Franklin led him to extend to America his lively interest in politics as well as trade.

Originally publishe...