bookwright

plural bookwrights · alternative book-wright

1. A maker or writer of books; an author.

   The people of the book are fighting again. Not the Israelis but the National Library of Canada versus the bookwrights — makers of limited-edition, handmade books.

   1999 March 26, “Bookwrights balk again at library’s interference”, in The Province, Vancouver, B.C.: Pacific Press, Southam Inc., page B8

   3 more examples

   This is truly to be Carnifex papiri, A murderer of paper, as [Matthias Flacius] Illyricus cõmonly calleth the Zuinglians. this is in deede to be Miſerabilis librifex, A miſerable bookevvright, as [Martin] Luther malapertly nameth king Henry [VIII], a learned prince and of famous memory.

   1583, William Rainolds, “The Preface to the Reader”, in A Refutation of Sundry Reprehensions, Cauils, and False Sleightes, by Which M. [William] Whitaker Laboureth to Deface the Late English Translation, and Catholike Annotations of the New Testament, and the Booke of Discouery of Heretical Corruptions, Paris: [For Richard Verstegen?], page 81

   Where the personal feelings were not engaged, it was also an agreeable pastime to follow his destructive feats; see him annihilate a poetaster, or insinuate away the pretensions of a book-wright.

   1853, Henry Theodore Tuckerman, “Mental Portraits; Or, Studies of Character”, in The Reviewer: Lord Jeffrey, page 219

   But their punishment is a singular one. They wished to pass for men of the world, and not for vulgar bookwrights. We are obliged to regard them as bookwrights simply, and not as men at all. There is one exception.

   1880, Frederick Denison Maurice, The Friendship of Books, page 18