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Although the name of Samuel N. Dickinson appears in the literature of nineteenth century printing, it is usually in reference to only a few of his many achievements. To De Vinne, he was a master printer who became a typefounder and introduced the Scotch face.[1] The American Dictionary of Printing and Bookmaking finds this aspect of Dickinson memorable and then states that his book, A Help to Printers and Publishers, was for many years "an indispensable one in all printing-offices."[2] Bigmore & Wyman refer to only two items: A Help to Printers and Publishers and his 1842 specimen book.[3] Yet here was a man regarded by his contemporaries as one of the best printers in the United States. In addition to his typefoundry, he owned one of the largest printing offices in the country, issued one of the first American technological journals, produced the first American periodical devoted to printing, compiled and printed a well-known series of almanacs, and was astute enough to discover and employ such men as Henry O. Houghton and the two John Wilsons. Unfortunately Dickinson's career ended in less than twenty years. Perhaps if he had lived long enough to have become venerable, he would have received greater attention from historians of printing.
To recount all of his various activities in one straight chronological narrative would blur and distort the picture. Therefore, after a brief biographical sketch, his work as printer, typefounder, and publisher will be discussed separately.
Samuel Nelson Dickinson, seventh child of Nancy Pullen Dickinson and Cotton Dickinson, was born in Phelps, Ontario County, New York, on 11 December 1801.[4] His grandfather, Colonel Elias Dickinson, had
His ambition to own a printing shop was realized in 1829 when he resigned and rented two small rooms at 52 Washington Street, Boston. As business thrived, it expanded into adjoining rooms until the printing shop and typefoundry (added in 1840) comprised twelve large rooms covering more than an acre (Coolidge and Wiley, p. 3).
This was accomplished while Dickinson's personal life was affected by a tragedy and increasingly poor health. His first wife, Sarah Ann Oliver, whom he married in 1830, and their seven-week-old daughter died within a day of each other in 1833 ([Boston] Columbian Centinel, 1 Sept. 1830; 3 Aug. 1833). Three years later, he married Mrs. Mary Parker (Columbian Centinel, 20 July 1836). In January and February, 1847, his health declined so remorselessly that he spent four weeks in New York consulting a "Botanic Physician" for his throat and lungs.[8] He repeated the visit one month later (Dickinson to Geer, 16 March
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