Bounce Magazine November 2017

NOVEMBER 2017 | ISSUE #61 | HISTORY
NOVEMBER 2017 | ISSUE #61
LUKE HANSARD
AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
Luke Hansard was born 5th July 1828 in St Mary’s
parish in Norwich.
His father Thomas was a merchant and his mother, a vicar’s
daughter had him educated at Boston Grammar School and he
then served as an apprentice to Norwich printer Stephen White
at Cockey Lane (now London Street). Stephen owned many
businesses of which Luke assisted, such as medicine vendor,
boat-builder and general artist from where he traded from the
Bible and Crown in Magdalen Street.
In historical documents, Luke stated how he was devoted to
White and how he became an expert compositor, pressman,
corrector, manager, copperplate printer, shopman, bookkeeper
and accountant.
Once completed, Luke needed to earn more money for his
family and he walked to London with only a guinea to his name
and he took employment as a compositor for John Hughs,
printer to the House of Commons.
By 1774 Luke became a partner and he looked after most of the
business of which he went on to completely own in 1800. His
sons joined the business and a name change took place, with
the company being known as Luke Hansard & Sons. He became
great friends with Dr Johnson and many praised him as being
an accurate printer of Greek as well as wanting him to print their
literacy works.
In 1801 on the union with Ireland, Luke gave up private printing
all but when Parliament was not sitting. He studied many
different ways of reducing publishing costs and improving the
standard of accuracy and he became known as Hansard the
printer. He never forgot Norwich and on the few occasions when
he had time away from work he headed home to what he called
‘My Home, My Beautiful Norwich’. In 1805 his workmen struck
at a time when all businesses were suffering great pressure and
both he and he sons worked as
compositors.
Luke continued to print the
‘Journals of the House of
Commons’ until his death on 29th
October 1828 with his son Thomas
Curson (Known as TC) carrying on
the business.
The accuracy of how the Journals
were printed were shown on one
occasion when proof sheets were
given to the Secret Committee
regarding the French Revolution
and given to Pitt only twenty-four
hours after the draft left Hansard.
The name Hansard became and
still is Britain’s most famous
exports. Australia and Canada saw
Hansard become the recognised
name of parliamentary reports,
which followed the same way as
Westminster received them.
Luke Hansard became a
very wealthy and respected
businessman and craftsman and
he ensured than his name would
live on. It was stated that as a
youth, former Conservative Leader
William Hague was an avid reader
of Hansard.
The area of Mile Cross Road in
Norwich has Hansard Road.
By Michael Chandler - Author, Historian, Broadcaster & Features Writer, Restaurant &
Food critic. Researcher of old buildings and creator of historical and Corporate DVDs.
Contact me @EastAngliaMedia - Mention BOUNCE and receive a 15% discount.
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