Samuel Kneeland (printer)

Kneeland obtained much of his work printing laws and other official documents for the Province of Massachusetts Bay colonial government for about two decades.

He printed the first Bible in the English language ever produced in the American colonies, along with many other religious and spiritual works, including the Book of Psalms.

Kneeland, primarily, along with his sons, were responsible for printing the greater majority of books, magazines and pamphlets published in Boston during his lifetime.

[4] His printing shop was located on Prison lane, now called Court Street, at the corner of Dorset's alley in Boston.

[9] Samuel Kneeland and his sons, with their various partnerships, continued to capture the greater large share of the printing business in Boston.

[6] For many years he was a printer to the Province of Massachusetts Bay government and council, printing their laws, acts charters and journals and other legal documents.

[12][13][e] Kneeland, proposed to add a number of new features in his practice of journalism, including the introduction of an organized corps of correspondents of "the most knowing and ingenious gentlemen in several noted towns", to seek out and gather news.

He arranged for financial support from notable people of the town, including Mather Byles, Judge Danforth, Governor Burnet, and the Reverend Thomas Prince, of the Old South Church,[15] of which Kneeland was a member.

[20][21] Kneeland & Green in 1727 printed the earliest known surviving example of The New England Primer, a religious text used in public schools for over two centuries.

[26][i] The Kneeland and Green Bible was almost impossible to distinguish from the official English printings, as the type, paper, inks used in its production were all imported from England.

[35][36] Kneeland, went on to establish The New England Weekly Journal, published on Mondays, with its first issue appearing on March 20, 1727, along with the inscription, "Containing the most Remarkable Occurrences Foreign and Domestick" below the title.

At this time Kneeland proposed a number of improvements to journalism and newspaper editing, including the organization of a corps of correspondents from different towns to share the latest news from each.

[16][l] After John Boydell, the proprietor of The Boston Gazette died, his heirs sold the paper for a modest sum to Kneeland and Green in 1741.

[49] In 1740 Boston had only four printing houses, belonging to John Draper, Rogers & Fowle, Thomas Fleet and Kneeland & Green.

[54] Aside from newspaper publishing, Kneeland, often with his partner Timothy Green, printed bibles and a wide assortment of books and pamphlets, many of which were of a religious or spiritual nature.

He also was commissioned as the official printer for over two decades printing the laws, acts and charters for the Massachusetts General Court and Assembly.