Robert Aitken (1734–1802) was an
Early American publisher and printer in
Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...
and the first to publish an English language
Bible
The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...
in the newly formed United States. He was born in
Dalkeith
Dalkeith ( ; gd, Dail Cheith, IPA: t̪alˈçe is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, on the River Esk. It was granted a burgh of barony in 1401 and a burgh of regality in 1540. The settlement of Dalkeith grew southwestwards from its 12th-cent ...
,
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
.
He emigrated to Philadelphia in 1769, where he published the ''Pennsylvania Magazine, or American Monthly Museum'' in 1775–76.
Starting in
Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...
as a bookseller in 1769 and 1771, Aitken started publication of ''The Pennsylvania Magazine'' in 1775 with content derived from the colonies.
English
political activist
A political movement is a collective attempt by a group of people to change government policy or social values. Political movements are usually in opposition to an element of the status quo, and are often associated with a certain ideology. Some t ...
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine (born Thomas Pain; – In the contemporary record as noted by Conway, Paine's birth date is given as January 29, 1736–37. Common practice was to use a dash or a slash to separate the old-style year from the new-style year. In th ...
, who just did immigrate to Philadelphia with a letter of recommendation from
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin ( April 17, 1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. Encyclopædia Britannica, Wood, 2021 Among the leading inte ...
, contributed two pieces to the magazine's inaugural issue and Aitken hired him as editor. The Magazine's readership rapidly expanded, achieving a greater circulation in the colonies than any American magazine up until that point.
While Aitken had conceived of the magazine as nonpolitical, Paine brought a political perspective to its content, writing in its first issue that "every heart and hand seem to be engaged in the interesting struggle for ''American Liberty.''".
On March 8, 1775, an unsigned abolitionist essay titled ''African Slavery in America'' has been published.
It attacked slavery as an "execrable commerce" and "outrage against Humanity and Justice."
Aitkin also printed the first copies of the
New Testament
The New Testament grc, Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη, transl. ; la, Novum Testamentum. (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christ ...
to appear in the colonies, beginning in 1777, on through to 1781. He died in Philadelphia in 1802.
Aitken Bible of 1782
The Aitken Bible of 1782 was reviewed, approved and authorized by the
Congress of the Confederation
The Congress of the Confederation, or the Confederation Congress, formally referred to as the United States in Congress Assembled, was the governing body of the United States of America during the Confederation period, March 1, 1781 – Mar ...
. The Bible was reviewed first for accuracy by the Congressional Chaplains White and Duffield and they reported on its accuracy. Then the Journals of Congress for September 1782 records on page 469, "Resolved. That the United States in Congress assembled highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitkin, as subservient to the interest of religion as well as an influence of the progress of arts in this country and being satisfied from the above report (by the congressional chaplains), they recommend this edition of the bible to the inhabitants of the United States and hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation." (Spelling has been modernized).
In 1781 Aitken undertook to print the first complete English Bible produced in America and sought the official sanction of Congress for his edition. Congress passed a resolution officially authorizing the edition in September 1782. Known as the “Aitken Bible,” this was the first and only edition of the Bible ever authorized by Congress. As Aitken reported to George Washington, the venture was a financial failure.
Background and the need for an American printed Bible
The war with Britain had cut off the supply of Bibles, and, on September 11, 1777, the Continental Congress reviewed a committee report, informing them that a locally produced Bible may not be a viable option, due to the risk and cost of procuring the materials necessary. The committee noted, "...the use of the Bible is so universal, and its importance so great, that the committee refer the above to the consideration of Congress, and if Congress shall not think it expedient to order the importation of types and paper, your committee recommend that Congress will order the Committee of Commerce to import 20,000 Bibles from Holland, Scotland, or elsewhere, into the different ports of the states in the Union." Congress favored the idea of importing 20,000 Bibles, in order to address the short supply
Library of Congress
On Thursday, September 12, 1782, Congress reviewed a report dated September 1, 1782, from their Congressional committee, and signed by the committee Chairman,
James Duane
James Duane (February 6, 1733 – February 1, 1797) was an American Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father, attorney, jurist, and American Revolutionary War, American Revolutionary leader from New York (state), New York. He serve ...
. The committee had been, "…referred a memorial of Robert Aitkin, dated January 21st, 1781, respecting an edition of the holy scriptures." This committee had, from time to time, checked on the progress of Aitken's work, and their report stated, "Our knowledge of your piety and public spirit leads us without apology to recommend to your particular attention the edition of the holy scriptures publishing by Mr. Aitkin.
Library of Congress Next Congress reviewed a report dated September 10, 1782, from the committee, and signed by the Chaplains of the United States in Congress assembled,
William White and
George Duffield
__NOTOC__
George Duffield MBE (born 30 November 1946) is an English retired flat racing jockey.
He served a seven-year apprenticeship with Jack Waugh, and rode his first winner on 15 June 1967 at Great Yarmouth Racecourse on a horse called Syl ...
. This report stated they had reviewed the printing and it was found to be, "…with as few grammatical and typographical errors as could be expected in an undertaking of such magnitude.
Library of Congress The outcome is listed as, "Resolved. That the United States in Congress assembled highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitkin, as subservient to the interest of religion as well as an influence of the progress of arts in this country and being satisfied from the above report (by the congressional chaplains), they recommend this edition of the bible to the inhabitants of the United States and hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation."
In 1783, after Aitken's Bible had begun to be distributed, Dr. John Rodgers of the First
Presbyterian
Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their nam ...
Church of New York suggested to General George Washington that every discharged soldier be given a copy of Aitken's Bible. Since the war was coming to a close and Congress had already ordered the discharge of two-thirds of the army, the suggestion came too late. However, Washington said, "It would have pleased me well, if Congress had been pleased to make such an important present to the brave fellows who have done so much for the security of their country's rights and establishment.
[From George Washington to John Rodgers, 11 June 1783]
See also
*
Early American publishers and printers
Early American publishers and printers played a central role in the social, religious, political and commercial developments in colonial America, before, during, and after the American Revolution. Printing and publishing in the 17th and 18th ce ...
*
Jane Aitken
Jane Aitken (July 11, 1764 – August 29, 1832) was an early American printer, publisher, bookbinder, and bookseller. She was born in Scotland and her family immigrated to America with several Scottish families in 1771. She ran a print shop a ...
*
Isaac Collins
Citations
Bibliography
*
*
*Journals of Congress, September 1782, pages 468-469. (Library of Congress)
*''Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607–1896.'' Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1967.
*''The Holy Bible as Printed by Robert Aitken and Approved & Recommended by the Congress of the United States of America in 1782.'' New York: Arno Press, 1968.
*Unknown, . United States. National Archives. From George Washington to John Rodgers, 11 June 1783. The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, Web.
.
External links
Journals of Congress, September 1782. (Library of Congress)
(Library of Congress
The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library is ...
exhibition)
The Manhattan Rare Book Company
Spiritual Life - CBN.COM
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aitken, Robert
1734 births
1802 deaths
American publishers (people)
Businesspeople from Philadelphia
People from Dalkeith
People of colonial Pennsylvania
Scottish emigrants to the Thirteen Colonies
18th-century printers
Colonial American printers