Booksellers – Members of Masonic Lodges in the 18th Century

Abstract

In the second half of the 18th century, two ideas characterised each Austrian land – the Enlightenment and Freemasonry. As we are dealing with a period in which written = printed word had a monopoly on spreading ideas, Freemasons required intermediaries – both printers and booksellers. They were the last link in the chain and were therefore at the highest risk when spreading literature that was not always in compliance with the state norms. By means of a survey of biographies and book trade offer, we were able to establish that in some cities as many as half booksellers were members of Masonic lodges or at least their supporters. Their number in the association was small, whereas on the other hand – we are faced with a large number of booksellers-Freemasons.