Laurens Janszoon Coster

Laurens Janszoon Coster (b. ca. 1370, Haarlem, The Netherlands – d. ca. 1440) was one of the early European printers.

Related Topics:
1370 - Haarlem - The Netherlands - 1440

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Some claim he was the first European to invent movable type, although the little evidence there is about this matter seems to show that Johann Gutenberg preceded him. Either way, he is somewhat of a local "hero", and next to a statue on the Grote Markt his name can be found in many places in the city.

Related Topics:
Movable type - Johann Gutenberg

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His last name, Coster, is sometimes written as Koster. The middle name, meaning 'son of Jan', is sometimes abbreviated to 'Jansz.'

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