(King James Bible 1611)
English language translations of religious materials existed as early as the 7th century. In the Middle Ages, John Wycliffe (1328-1384) wrote some of the most influential translations from the Latin Vulgate to an English vernacular translation. His work was judged heretical by the papacy, and Wycliffite translations were not used openly for over a century. In the late 1400s, the Renaissance in Italy brought new interest in new translations. However, new English translations expanded after Martin Luther (1483-1546) and the Protestant Reformation (1517-1648). The Bibles highlighted here are examples of some of these important translations in Baylor’s collection up to the King James Bible originally published in 1611.
The New Testament translated from the Latin, in the year 1380, by John Wiclif D.D : to which are prefixed, memoirs of the life, opinions, and writings of Dr. Wiclif, and an historical account of the Saxon and English versions of the Scriptures, previous to the opening of the fifteenth century
- Original, later printing
- Bible. New Testament. English (Middle English). Wycliffe. 1810.
- Wiclif's New Testament by Henry Hervey Baber
- 14th century
- Hughes Oversize BS2035 1810b
New Testament, 1526
- Facsimile
- Bible. New Testament. English. Tyndale. 1976
- 16th century
- William Tyndale (1494-1536) began an English translation of the Bible in 1524; however his printing shop was raided and he had to start over again completing the New Testament in 1526. This volume is presentation copy to the President of Baylor University from the President of Bristol Baptist College. It is a facsimile reprint in color of Tyndale's New Testament of 1526 taken from the only known complete copy (which lacks a title page) in the library of Baptist College, Bristol.
- Polk BS140 1526a
Biblia : the Byble : that is : the holy Scrypture of the Olde and New Testament, faythfully translated in to Englyshe
- Facsimile
- Bible. English. Coverdale. 2016.
- 16th century
- Coverdale Bible, compiled by Myles Coverdale (1488 - 1569), was published in 1535 and was the first complete modern English translation.
- Polk Oversize BS145 1535a
The Byble in Englishe, that is the olde and new Testament, after the translacion appoynted to bee read in the Churches
- Original, later printing
- Bible. English. Great Bible. 1549.
- 16th century
- The Great Bible's first printing in 1539 was the first English edition authorized by King Henry VIII of England. Additional authorization was given for this edition to be read aloud in church services of the Church of England. Prepared by Myles Coverdale and commissioned by Thomas Cromwell.
- Polk Oversize BS167 1549
The Bible translated according to the Ebrew and Greeke, and conferred with the best translations in diuers languages ; with most profitable annotations vpon all the hard places, and other things of great importance, as may appeare in the epistle to the reader
- Original, later printing
- Bible. English. Geneva. 1583.
- 16th century
- Breeches Bible. Geneva Bible
- Imprinted at London, by Christopher Barker, ‘printer to the Queenes most excellent Majestie’. The original publication in 1560 was significant for English translations. This version was sold at cheaper prices and included marginalia and notes to aid the reader which made the Geneva Bible one of the most popular Bibles of its time. It was later banned in England when King James began promoting his Bible in 1611.
- Polk Oversize BS170 1583
The New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
- Original, later printing
- Bible. New Testament. English. Rheims.1804.
- 16th century
- Originally published in 1582 by the English College of Rheims, this Catholic Bible in English was completed by 1610 at Douay. This edition is newly revised and corrected according to the Clementin edition of the Scriptures / with annotations for clearing up modern controversies in religion, and other difficulties of Holy Writ.
- Polk BS2080 1804
King James Bible
King James I authorized scholars to create this translation that has been used for centuries and is considered one of the most important English language texts. Below are 2 editions of the King James Bible located in our collection.
The Holy Bible, conteyning the Old Testament, and the New; newly translated out of the originall tongues & with the former translations diligently compared and reuised
- Facsimile
- Bible. English. Authorized. 1965.
- 17th century
- London, Imprinted by Robert Barker, printer to the King, 1611
- Polk Oversize BS185 1611a .L6
The Holy Bible : containing the Old Testament, and the New / Newly translated out of the Originall Tongues: and with the former Translations diligently compared and revised by his Majesties Speciall Commandement. Appointed to be read in Churches.
- Original, later printing
- Bible. English. Authorized. 1617.
- 17th century
- London : Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie
- Polk Oversize BS185 1617 .L6