Elizabeth and John Nutt
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Printing, Bookselling, Publishing |
| Founded | circa 1692 |
| Founder | Elizabeth Nutt, John Nutt |
| Defunct | 1746 |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Books, pamphlets, newspapers, legal publications |
Number of employees | Unknown |
Elizabeth Nutt (circa 1666 – November 1746) and John Nutt (died 1716) were prominent printers, booksellers, and distributors operating in early 18th-century London. John Nutt gained recognition primarily for issuing the initial three editions of Jonathan Swift's A Tale of a Tub, while together they played a crucial role in publishing and retailing English legal texts and literary works.
Biographies
Details about John Nutt’s life remain limited beyond his passing in 1716. Elizabeth Carr entered into marriage with him in 1692, already established as a "mercury," a vendor specializing in newspapers and pamphlets. By 1705, she had earned a reputation as an independent and trustworthy bookseller. Elizabeth contributed an existing retail enterprise to their union, whereas John provided the printing operations. Their residence was near the Savoy by the Strand, where they retailed books, pamphlets, and news sheets sourced from the Royal Exchange.
By the year 1705, John operated a shop at the Savoy and was responsible for publishing Swift’s first significant satire (1703/4). That same year, he obtained an exclusive patent granting him rights to print legal publications. Following John's death in 1716, Elizabeth assumed control of the printing business, with their son Richard overseeing the presses and managing legal titles by 1722. Elizabeth also partnered with Anne Dodd, a leading figure in book distribution, supplying retail outlets alongside her own market stalls.
During the Hanoverian era, the Nutts supported Tory, Radical Whig, and opposition political factions. Elizabeth and her family faced arrest due to selling politically sensitive newspapers such as the London Evening Post, The Craftsman, and Mist's Weekly Journal. Nevertheless, they thrived commercially, broadening their network of news vendors and book stalls. Elizabeth’s name continued to appear on imprints until 1741, and she remained listed as a bookseller until her death in 1746.
Between approximately 1693 and 1711, Elizabeth and John had thirteen children, among whom were printers Richard Nutt and Alice Nutt.