The History of the Book in the Early Modern Period: 1450 to 1800
Discover how books were made, sold and read between 1450 and 1800
The early modern period was an exciting time for invention and innovation. On this course, you’ll explore book production using examples from Trinity College Dublin and the Edward Worth Library, Dublin.
You’ll discover how books were made, bound and illustrated, and will study rare treasures including the engravings of Anthony Van Dyck, and early editions of Aesop’s Fables.
You’ll also consider how books were read and how the invention of printing impacted on religion, medicine, science and politics.
What topics will you cover?
- Week 1: How books were made in Western Europe (1450-1800) (designing types, illustrating, sewing, binding, and finishing books).
- Week 2: How books were sold in Western Europe (1450-1800) (bestsellers, collectors, advertising and book auctions).
- Week 3: How books were read in Western Europe (1450-1800) (books and readers, families libraries, and annotating books).
- Week 4: How books changed the world (1450-1800) (reforming religion, transforming medicine and science, and remaking the state).
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