James Printer (c. 1640 – c. 1709), also known by his Nipmuc name Wawaus, was a prominent Native American printer in colonial Massachusetts. He is recognized as one of the earliest and most significant Indigenous printers in North America, playing a crucial role in the production of some of the most important early printed works in the colonies, particularly those in Native American languages. His career at the Indian College Press in Cambridge, Massachusetts, spanned several decades, making him a central figure in the history of printing in colonial America.
Early Life and Education Born around 1640, James Printer was a member of the Nipmuc tribe. He grew up in the "Praying Town" of Natick, one of several settlements established by Puritan missionaries like John Eliot to convert Native Americans to Christianity and assimilate them into colonial society. It was in Natick that Printer learned to read and write English and likely became familiar with the written form of his native Algonquian language. By the mid-1650s, he was sent to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he apprenticed under Samuel Green at the Indian College Press, which was affiliated with Harvard College.
Career and Contributions Printer's skills as a compositor and typesetter were invaluable. He mastered the demanding task of setting type for complex texts in both English and the Massachusett dialect of the Algonquian language. His most monumental contribution was his central role in the printing of the Eliot Indian Bible (formally titled Mamusse Wunneetupanatamwe Up-Biblum God), the first complete Bible printed in North America. Translated by John Eliot into the Massachusett language, this massive undertaking was completed in 1663. Printer's expertise was critical for accurately rendering the Algonquian text, which featured a complex orthography.
Beyond the Bible, Printer worked on numerous other publications, including primers, catechisms, Psalms, and legal documents intended for both English colonists and the Praying Indian communities. His work facilitated literacy and the spread of religious and educational materials among Native Americans. He often worked alongside other printers, English and Native American, contributing to a vibrant intellectual environment at the press.
Involvement in King Philip's War During King Philip's War (Metacom's War) from 1675 to 1676, a major conflict between Native American inhabitants and New England colonists, James Printer temporarily left his printing work. Like many other Praying Indians, he was caught between the warring factions. He joined Metacom's forces for a period, reportedly using his literacy to write threatening letters on behalf of Metacom. After the war ended, Printer was among those who were granted pardons, due in part to the intercession of figures like Daniel Gookin, who recognized his valuable skills and past contributions to the colony. He subsequently returned to his work at the printing press, continuing his career for several more decades.
Later Life and Legacy James Printer continued his printing work into the late 17th and early 18th centuries, assisting in new editions of the Eliot Indian Bible and other print jobs. He is believed to have died around 1709.
His legacy is significant not only as a highly skilled artisan but also as a symbol of the cultural intersections and conflicts of early colonial America. He embodied the complex position of Native Americans who adopted aspects of colonial culture while retaining elements of their own identity. His contributions were essential to the dissemination of knowledge and the preservation of the written Massachusett language, even as the broader forces of colonization diminished Native American languages and cultures. His story highlights the crucial, often unsung, role of Indigenous individuals in shaping the intellectual and material landscape of early America.