Our Mission
The Early English Press Archive documents and preserves the revolutionary shift when England moved from manuscript to print. This change, starting with William Caxton in 1476, is a major turning point in history—the birth of mass communication.
We are a registered educational charity dedicated to making this heritage accessible to scholars, students, and the public worldwide. Through high-resolution digitisation, research, and educational programs, we help future generations understand how print shaped English language, literature, and society.
Our work goes beyond preservation to active research, looking for new insights into how printing technology, economics, and cultural change combined to create modern media's foundations.
Archive History
Foundation
Founded by a group of British universities to preserve England's printing heritage. The first collection came from private collectors and institutional donations, focusing on incunabula and 16th-century imprints.
Heritage Lottery Grant
Major funding secured for digitisation. A professional conservation lab was set up. The first cataloguing phase finished with full descriptions of 1,200 items.
Digital Launch
Website launched with an online catalogue and low-resolution images. Partnerships made with major research libraries. Educational outreach program started with local schools.
International Recognition
The archive received UNESCO designation for preserving documentary heritage. A research fellowship program began. The first international conference on early English printing was held at Cambridge.
Current Era
High-resolution digitisation finished for priority items. Interactive virtual reality experiences developed. Global digital access programs made archive consultation available worldwide.
Leadership Team
Scholars and specialists dedicated to preserving England's printing heritage
Professor James Whitfield
James joined the Archive in 2008 after being Professor of Early Modern History at King's College London. His research on the economics of printing changed how we understand the 16th-century book trade. He coordinates our international research programs and oversees strategic development.
Dr. Sarah Morrison
Sarah's expertise in manuscript studies and early printing technology guides our acquisition and conservation priorities. Trained at the Bodleian Library's conservation department, she has developed innovative techniques for photographing historical documents that preserve maximum detail while protecting fragile materials.
Dr. Robert Chen
Robert leads our digital preservation and access programmes. His background in computer science and library science enables innovative approaches to metadata, search systems, and long-term digital preservation. He coordinates our technical partnerships with other digital humanities projects.
Ms. Elizabeth Harper
Elizabeth develops educational programmes that bring early printing history to schools and universities. Her work with A-Level history teachers has created new curriculum resources used throughout Britain. She also coordinates our public lecture series and workshops for general audiences.
Research & Impact
How our work contributes to scholarship and education
Scholarly Publications
Our research has produced over 150 peer-reviewed articles and 12 monographs on early English printing. Annual conference proceedings are published by Cambridge University Press.
Digital Innovation
Our digital preservation techniques have been adopted by archives worldwide. Virtual reality experiences allow users to explore 15th-century printing workshops in unprecedented detail.
Educational Impact
Our teaching materials reach over 25,000 students annually. Interactive online modules are used by universities across Europe and North America for courses on book history and Renaissance culture.
Recognition & Partnerships
Collaborations with leading institutions worldwide
Academic Partnerships
British Library: Joint digitisation projects and shared cataloguing standards.
Bodleian Libraries: Conservation technique development and staff exchange programmes.
Cambridge University: Graduate student internships and dissertation research support.
Harvard University: Comparative studies of Anglo-American printing traditions.
International Recognition
UNESCO Memory of the World: Registration for preservation of documentary heritage (2012).
European Digital Library: Founding member and technical standards contributor.
Royal Historical Society: Winner of the Gladstone Prize for Digital Humanities (2018).
JISC: Model project for digital preservation best practices.
Visit Our Facilities
Research reading room and conservation laboratory tours
22 Printing House Square
Our premises in the heart of London's historic printing district provide a fitting home for the Archive. The Georgian townhouse, originally built for a 18th-century printer, has been carefully restored to maintain its historical character while incorporating modern conservation facilities.
Reading Room: Open Tuesday-Thursday, 10:00-16:00 by appointment. Accommodates up to 12 researchers with access to original materials under supervised conditions.
Conservation Lab: State-of-the-art facilities for document preservation, photography, and analysis. Tours available for academic groups by advance arrangement.