Pedro Ocharte
Encyclopedia
Pedro Ocharte was one of the first printers
in the Americas
, active from 1563 to 1592.
Originally from Rouen
in France
, Ocharte came to the City of Mexico in New Spain
around 1549. He married Maria de Figueroa, the daughter of printer Juan Pablos
, and in 1563 took over the operation of Pablos's press
. In 1572, Ocharte was imprisoned by the Inquisition
, as one of his prints was considered heretical
. Ocharte died around 1592.
Ocharte's son Melchior Ocharte was also a printer.
Printer (publisher)
In publishing, printers are both companies providing printing services and individuals who directly operate printing presses. With the invention of the moveable type printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1450, printing—and printers—proliferated throughout Europe.Today, printers are found...
in the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
, active from 1563 to 1592.
Originally from Rouen
Rouen
Rouen , in northern France on the River Seine, is the capital of the Haute-Normandie region and the historic capital city of Normandy. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe , it was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy in the Middle Ages...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Ocharte came to the City of Mexico in New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
around 1549. He married Maria de Figueroa, the daughter of printer Juan Pablos
Juan Pablos
Giovanni Paoli, better known as Juan Pablos , a native of Lombardy, was the first documented printer in the Americas when he started printing in Mexico in 1539.-Biography:...
, and in 1563 took over the operation of Pablos's press
Printing press
A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...
. In 1572, Ocharte was imprisoned by the Inquisition
Mexican Inquisition
The Mexican Inquisition was an extension of the Spanish Inquisition into the New World. The Spanish Conquest of Mexico was not only a political event for the Spanish, but a religious event as well. In the early 16th century, the Reformation, the Counter-Reformation and the Inquisition were in full...
, as one of his prints was considered heretical
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
. Ocharte died around 1592.
Ocharte's son Melchior Ocharte was also a printer.
Books printed by Pedro Ocharte
See also
- Antonio de Espinosa