Label Type
Object LabelLabel
The Rheims Bible
1582
Rheims, France
Jean Fogny (French, 1535?–1586), printer
Because of the success of the Protestant translations
of the Bible into common language, a Catholic version
of the New Testament was produced in 1582. Gregory
Martin, a teacher of Hebrew and Biblical study at the
English College at Douai, France, is usually considered
the central mind behind this version, though he worked
with several other scholars. The English College, a center
for expatriate Catholics who had left England during
the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, had temporarily moved
to Rheims at the time of the publication of this New
Testament, which accounts for the popular name of this
Bible. The edition appeared the year of Martin’s death.
Unlike other scholars who translated into vernacular
languages, Martin seems conflicted by his actions: in
the preface to this publication, he cautions his readers
from profaning the text of the scripture by wide accessibility. In the beginning years of Christianity, he writes,
“men were neither so ill, nor so curious of them selves,
so to abuse the blessed booke of Christ” by translating
“Bibles into the vulgar tonges...for euery prophane
person and companie.”
Gift of Donald and Nancy Piercy
1992.002a.01