John Ogilby: Homer’s Illiad
John Ogilby, 1600-1676 was a man of many talents. From an early age he was a dancer, until an injury prevented him from performing. He opened the first theater in Ireland in 1637. An Irish rebellion forced the theater to close in 1641. Shortly thereafter he moved to England and devoted his life to the printed word. He translated many literary classics into English, and created Britain’s first road atlas in 1675.
Some of the works translated include Aesop’s Fables in 1650. In 1660 he published the first edition of his translation Homer’s Illiad. To help fund the publication, Ogilby sold “subscriptions”, whereby patron’s could pay for the creation of the illustrations, and in return the etching would be underwritten with the sponsor’s name and coat of arms.
The underwriting on this illustration is of Johanni Lewys de Ebor. (John Lewis of Ledston, Yorkshire) John Lewis was the Baron of Ledston from 1660 until 1671, and was therefore someone of means who supported the publication.
L.M.D.D.D. is a Latin abbreviation for Libens Merito Dedit De Dicavit, or “I gladly dedicate this plate”. I.O. is the abbreviation of John Ogilby, as in Latin the letter J was written as I.
The illustrations were created by Francis Cleyn, and the copperplate etchings were done by Pierre Lombart, Wenceslaus Hollar and William Faithorne. The original copperplates were destroyed in the Great London Fire of 1666, and had to be recreated for the 1669 edition.