The Enemies Of Books

William Blades was an English printer and bibliographer born in Clapham, London, to a family engaged in the printing trade. He was apprenticed to his father's printing business in 1840 and later became a partner in the firm, known as Blades, East & Blades. His fascination with the craft of printing led him to study the works of William Caxton and the origins of English printing, resulting in his renowned publication The Life and Typography of William Caxton, England's First Printer. Through meticulous research, Blades analyzed hundreds of early printed volumes, tracing the development of types and techniques that defined the birth of English printing. His most celebrated work, The Enemies of Books, published in 1880, reflected his deep concern for the preservation of literary heritage and the dangers posed by neglect and ignorance. Blades played a significant role in organizing the Caxton Celebration of 1877 and advocated for the founding of the Library Association. Upon his death in 1890, his personal library became the foundation of the St Bride Foundation's collection, preserving his legacy as a pioneering bibliographer.