author
Richard Herring
b. 1829
Best known for a clear, compact history of papermaking, this 19th-century writer explored how one of the world's most important everyday materials was made and used. His work brings together practical industry knowledge and a lively curiosity about the long story of writing itself.
1 Audiobook
Paper & paper making, ancient and modern
by Richard Herring
About the author
Richard Herring, born in 1829, is known today for Paper & Paper Making, Ancient and Modern, a short but wide-ranging study first published in 1855. The book grew out of lectures delivered at the London Institution and traces the story of paper from ancient writing materials to the manufacturing methods of Herring's own time.
He also wrote A Practical Guide to the Varieties and Relative Values of Paper, showing a strong interest not just in history but in the trade and practical uses of paper. Another work associated with his name is A Few Personal Recollections of the Late George Croly, published in 1861.
Although not much biographical detail is easy to confirm, his surviving books suggest an author who could explain technical subjects in an accessible way. For listeners interested in book history, manufacturing, or the material side of literature, Herring offers a useful glimpse into how the Victorian world understood paper and its past.