University of Virginia Library

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

been one of the original purchasers of Phelps.[5] His father's principal occupation cannot be definitely ascertained although transactions recorded in the County Clerk's office disclose that, from time to time, he sold land. Less than three years after Samuel's birth, his father was killed "while in the act of raising the first Presbyterian Church in Phelps."[6] The father's death left the family poorly off, but the young orphan was able to acquire an elementary education. And when, about the age of twelve, he cut his name on wood and printed it in his spelling book, the family realized that he had found his profession. He was soon apprenticed to Stephen Young, printer of the Geneva Palladium. After Young's death in 1816, young Samuel went to New York City where he worked for a year or two before moving to Boston. There he found a job with the Boston Type and Stereotype Foundry (Coolidge and Wiley, p. 3). Of all possible places for training, Dickinson wittingly or unwittingly chose the best. During those years, the employees of the Boston Type and Stereotype Foundry included James Conner, Edward Pelouze, Michael Dalton, and Edwin Starr, all of whom later became distinguished typefounders.[7] In this stimulating environment the talented young man applied himself single-mindedly. He "was accustomed to transfer the materials of his employment to his lodgings, and while others sought relaxation from labor, would pursue his avocation into the hours of the night." (Coolidge and Wiley, p. 3).

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

1847). By September, his illness necessitated the sale of his printing office ([Boston] Daily Evening Transcript, 14 Sept. 1847). A trip to Florida during the winter failed to improve his condition sufficiently to enable him to continue the typefoundry (C. C. P. Moody to Geer, 9 Dec. 1847). It was sold in 1848 ([Boston] Daily Evening Traveller, 12 Aug. 1848). He finished one final task, the preparation of copy for the 1849 Boston Almanac, before he died of "consumption" on 16 December 1848 (Daily Evening Traveller, 18 Dec. 1848).