Stephen Daye

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Stephen Daye (1594-1668) was the first American printer. Daye was born in London, but emigrated to Massachusetts with Reverend Joseph Glover in 1638 along with his son, Matthew Daye. Glover also brought a printing press on the journey, intending to set it up in Massachusetts. Glover, however, died during the voyage, but Daye nonetheless set up the printing press upon arrival with the aid of Glover's widow. In 1639, Daye used the press to print his first work, The Freeman's Oath, a broadsheet. In 1640, he printed the Bay Psalm Book, the first book published in the American colonies. The next year, 1641, Daye was rewarded for his work with three hundred acres of land.