This reference work investigates the identities, professional activities, and geographical distribution of individuals involved in the printing and book trade within the British Isles during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Ronald B. McKerrow, a distinguished bibliographer, compiled this dictionary to provide a comprehensive record of the industry's personnel. By synthesizing archival records, guild registers, and surviving imprints, the text establishes a foundational framework for understanding the mechanics of early modern book production. The work serves as a primary resource for scholars tracking the movement of texts and the professional networks of the era.

Scholars and bibliographers regard this volume as a foundational reference text for the study of early modern printing history. Readers frequently note the meticulous archival research and the clarity of the entries, which remain essential for identifying figures in the early book trade.