Thomas Snodham

Thomas Snodham was an English printer. He was a specialist music printer, but music accounted for as little as 10 per cent of the books he printed. His other output included plays.

Snodham was the son of a draper. In 1595 he was apprenticed to his uncle, the printer Thomas East. East specialised in music printing and printed works by well-known composers such as William Byrd and John Dowland. Snodham became a freeman of the Stationers Company in 1602, and printed his first book the following year, King James his entertainment at Theobalds. The book was sold from East's premises. The title refers to the progress of King James from Scotland in 1603, when he stayed at Theobalds, receiving the homage of the Privy Council.

When East died in 1608, his will made provision for the financial security of his widow Lucretia and also made clear that he wanted Snodham to take over the business. Mrs East inherited a number of music books, some of which Snodham acquired from her. Snodham also acquired East's printing equipment, and himself became an important music printer. Snodham printed works by various composers associated with East and a while the business continued to use the old name; for example, the second set of Wilbye's 'Madrigals' (1609) is stated to be printed by Thomas East, alias Snodham.

In 1612 Snodham printed the first edition of Ben Jonson's play The Alchemist, which had been premiered in 1610 by the King's Men. The following year he printed the second quarto of Thomas Lord Cromwell.

Snodham died in 1626.

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