Today on Celebrate the Bible:
Listen Now (6 minutes):
Working in Philadelphia, Jane Aitken is remembered as a very highly skilled, and respected printer and bookbinder. She is known as the first woman in America to print the Holy Bible. She was born in 1764. She came to America at age seven with her mother Janet, father Robert, her older brother Robert Jr., and her sister Margaret.
The family settled in Philadelphia.
Her father set up a bookstore and print shop on Front Street, down by the Delaware river. He became famous for printing the Aitken Bible, which will be featured in an upcoming episode here.
His place of business was later moved to 22 Market Street. If you visit today, you will not find his print shop. But there is an historical plaque at this location to commemorate the history made there.
Jane’s father died in 1802. She took over the operations of his print shop. This led her to print and bind what became known as the Thomson Bible. Although the name is the same, it should not to be confused with the Thompson Hot-Press Bible, covered in episode #6.
The American Philosophical Society web site states this about Jane Aitken: “She is known for her extraordinary skill as a printer. She was also a bookbinder. She was the only great woman bookbinder of the early American republic. Her greatest printing achievement was the Thomson Bible of 1808.”
The Thomson Bible can lay claim to at least FOUR firsts in Bible history. It was the FIRST American Bible printed by a woman. It was also the FIRST translation of the pre-Christian Greek, or Septuagint version of the Old Testament into English. Additionally, it was the FIRST English New Testament translated in America. Finally, it was the FIRST non-King James Bible printed in America.
It was printed in four volumes, and only 1,000 copies were issued.
Charles Thomson was the translator from Greek to English. He served as secretary of the First Continental Congress in 1774. He also served the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1783, and the Confederation Congress from 1783 to 1789. Upon his retirement in 1789, he dedicated the next 20+ years to studying the Bible. He worked on translating both the Old and New Testaments.
During the Second Continental Congress, Jane’s father, Robert Aitken, successfully petitioned Congress in 1782. He gained approval and recommendation for his own printing of the Bible. This was the first English Bible printed in America. It was also the only Bible ever to be authorized and recommended by Congress.
It is also known as the “Bible of the American Revolution”. Both Robert and Jane’s Bibles were printed in Philadelphia. Robert Aitken’s Bible was printed at his earlier-mentioned print shop, located at 22 Market Street. Jane’s printing of the Thomson Bible was printed at her later print shop at 71 N. Third Street … which is just diagonal from the famous Betsy Ross House on Arch Street.
Visitors should look for both locations when visiting Philadelphia. Its a great piece of American bible history.
Jane Aitken died on September 5, 1832 at the age of sixty-nine. Her obituary noted that she died after a “long and painful illness”.
She was buried in a church grave yard in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. It is said that the grave yard is in such a state of disarray, it is nearly impossible to identify any of the sites within.
In closing, I would like to read the 23rd Psalm in my collection, as translated by Charles Thomson from the pre-Christian Greek Septuagint, and printed by Jane Aitken.
You may notice that it reads a bit differently than the more traditional version most of us are familiar with.
As follows:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall want nothing. In verdant pasture he hath fixed my abode. He hath fed me by gently flowing water, and restored my soul. He hath led me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. For though I walk amidst the shades of death: I will fear no ills, because thous art with me; thy rod and thy staff have been my comfort. Thous has spread a table before me; in the presence of them who afflict me. With oil thous hast anointed my head; and thine exhilarating cup is the very best. Thy mercy will surely follow me all the days of my life; and my dwelling shall be in the house of the Lord to length of days.
So, until we meet again, and for “Celebrate the Bible 250” this is Francis Douglas. If you’re interested in learning more about the History of the Christian Holy Bible in America, please subscribe now …
America 250 Semiquincentennial Bible Celebration 