author
Robert Hoe
1839–1909
A leading figure in American printing, he combined industrial know-how with a deep love of books. Best known for guiding R. Hoe & Company and for building an extraordinary private library, he wrote about the history of printing with the eye of both a manufacturer and a collector.
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About the author
Born in New York City on March 10, 1839, Robert Hoe III became head of R. Hoe & Company, the family firm famous for printing-press machinery. Under his leadership, the company remained one of the best-known names in printing technology, and his career kept him closely connected to the fast-changing world of books, newspapers, and mechanical production.
He was also a major book collector and a central figure in New York literary culture. He helped organize the Grolier Club and served as its first president, reflecting his interest not just in making printed materials but in preserving and celebrating fine books.
As a writer, he is known for works such as A Short History of the Printing Press and of the Improvements in Printing Machinery from the Time of Gutenberg up to the Present Day, along with catalogues connected to his notable library. He died in London on September 22, 1909, leaving behind a reputation shaped by both industry and bibliophily.