Printing came late to Aberdeen, arriving only in 1622 with the coming of Edward Raban, an Englishman of German extraction who had learned the printers' craft in the Netherlands.
Raban came to Aberdeen at the invitation of Sir Paul Menzies and Bishop Patrick Forbes. He set up a printing works on the north side of Castle Street, printing 'under the sign of the Townes Arms'. He was appointed as printer to the City and University. The City Council paid him a salary of £40 (Scots) per annum. |
Raban was both industrious and ambitious, producing one hundred and fifty titles in twenty-seven years. He called himself the 'Laird of Letters' and was engaged in the political, religious and civic questions of the day. Yet, for all that, he is an elusive figure.
Edward Raban retired in 1649 and died in 1658. He was buried close to the west wall of St Nicholas Kirkyard. The precise location is unknown but a memorial tablet was placed in the Drum Aisle inside the kirk by the Guild of Master Printers in Aberdeen in 1922 to mark the three hundredth anniversary of his arrival in the city. |
This website commemorates the four-hundredth anniversary of Edward Raban's arrival in Aberdeen, tells the story of his life and work and celebrates the contributions of printers in the Granite City during the course of the last four hundred years. As content is added, it will reveal new and hitherto unknown aspects of Raban's life and his contribution to printing both in Aberdeen and in Scotland more generally.
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Do you have the printer's ink in your blood?
We are looking for any descendants of Edward Raban. Read more about this on the BBC website.

is a partnership involving Robert Gordon University, the University of Aberdeen Special Collections, Peacock Visual Arts and Aberdeen City Council Library and Information Service.
It has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to support both physical and digital exhibitions about Edward Raban and his work, to host printmaking workshop which explore the art of printing and to create print-related craft kits for those who might benefit from engagement with arts and crafts but who find it difficult to do so.
It has been made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to support both physical and digital exhibitions about Edward Raban and his work, to host printmaking workshop which explore the art of printing and to create print-related craft kits for those who might benefit from engagement with arts and crafts but who find it difficult to do so.