Charlotte Guillard was the first famous woman printer. She was the wife and widow of two celebrated French printers, Rembolt and Chevalon. In the year 1500 she began her interest in the printing art. After the death of her first husband in 1540 she took over management of the print shop and the proofreading of the Latin publications.
Her works were recognized for their beauty and accuracy. Among the publications she printed were a Latin Bible, Erasmus's Testament, and the works of the Fathers. A two volume Works of St. Gregory is said to contain only three typographical errors.
The scholar Bogard started the writing of a Greek lexicon. After Bogard's death, it was completed and printed by Charlotte Guillard. Like the rest of her publications, it was noted for its elegance and accuracy. She was commissioned before other male printers by the Bishop of Verona to publish his works because of her accuracy.
Charlotte Guillard died in 1556.
Copyright © 1997 by Frank Granger
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