Publishing the Works of Nicholas Culpeper, Astrological Herbalist and Translator of Latin Medical Works in Seventeenth-Century London

Abstract

This investigation attempts primarily to untangle the complex publishing history of the works of Nicholas Culpeper (1616-54), astrological herbalist and translator of Latin medical works. It therefore identifies those works published in seventeenth-century London in a detailed appendix. Analysis of this publishing record extends our understanding of Culpeper himself, while it illustrates the relationship between author and publisher of medical texts in the book market of seventeenth-century London: the study indicates that London stationers capitalized on the reputation of Nicholas Culpeper to build the widest possible market for his original astrological /herbal medical works and his translations from continental authors.