Sebastian Gryphius

Sebastian Gryphius was prince of the Lyons booksellers and printers. He was born in Reutlingen in Swabia in 1491 to a printer, and has learned his trade in Germany and Venice. After his studies he moved to Lyons, probably as an agent for the Corporation of Venetian booksellers, and set up as a printer in the early 1520s. At first he printed law books in gothic type, then purchased roman and italic founts and specialized in the printing of Latin authors in a pocket sized format. He printed Latin translations of Greek authors and put out reprints of the translations of the best humanists of the time. He also printed Hebrew books.

Gryphius was the quickening spirit behind the humanist movement in Lyons. He was often praised in dedications from the greatest writers and scholars of his time. He maintained business and professional ties with them, some frequented his house, and sometimes worked with him as proof readers. Some of them were Rabelais, Alciat, Sadolet, Hubert Sussaneau, Claude Baduel, Frangois Hotman, Francois Baudoin, and others.