| Who is it? | First person to introduce a printing press into England |
| Birth Year | 1422 |
| Birth Place | Kent, British |
| Age | 597 YEARS OLD |
| Died On | c. 1491 |
| Resting place | St Margaret's, Westminster |
| Occupation | merchant, diplomat, writer, printer |
| Period | Late Plantagenet, Early English Renaissance |
| Notable work | Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye Dictes or Sayengis of the Philosophres Brut Chronicles |
William Caxton, the renowned figure recognized as the first person to introduce a printing press into England during the British era, is estimated to have a net worth ranging from $100,000 to $1 million in 2024. Caxton's contribution revolutionized the world of printing and literacy, making books more accessible to a wider audience. His ventures in the print industry, coupled with his vast knowledge and expertise, have undoubtedly contributed to his significant net worth. Caxton's pioneering work continues to be celebrated and his impact on the literary world remains unparalleled.
In November 1954, a memorial to Caxton was unveiled in Westminster Abbey by J. J. Astor, chairman of the Press Council. The white stone plaque is on the wall next to the door to Poets' Corner. The inscription reads:
Caxton is credited with standardising the English language through printing—that is, homogenising regional dialects and largely adopting the London dialect. This facilitated the expansion of English vocabulary, the regularisation of inflection and syntax, and a widening gap between the spoken and the written word. Richard Pynson started printing in London in 1491 or 1492 and favoured what came to be called Chancery Standard, largely based on the London dialect. Pynson was a more accomplished Stylist than Caxton and consequently pushed the English language further toward standardisation.
