Milton's Contract - VMathew

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The discussion of the author and how to properly define such a role continues in “Milton’s Contract”.  Lindenbaum introduces the topic of authorship through the works of Ben Jonson.  Jonson fit the model of an author as he edited his own writing and established his presence within his own work.  Lindenbaum transitions over to John Milton and in a similar manner, is qualified to be the ideal author.  Milton is a substantial author, according to the relevance of his work and those who followed his texts.  Though, the importance of an author can be related to or even defined by their relationship with their publisher.  Milton influenced the course of his reputation along with the reverence of his work upon “…entering into a formal contract with printer Samuel Simmons for the publication of Paradise Lost” (176).

Documented evidence would suggest that the contract itself is considered to be one of the earliest agreements between an author and a publisher.  The stated contract entailed Milton “…to receive five pounds immediately, an additional five pounds at the end of the first edition (that edition or impression considered to be completed when 1300 copies had been sold off to “particular reading Customers”), and then five more pounds at the end of each of each of the second and third impressions (these, too, considered to be completed when 1300 copies were sold)”(177).  Furthermore, Milton “could demand an accounting of sales at reasonable intervals” (179).  Beyond that, the contract required that none of the three editions were  to extend to 1500 copies.  In turn, Milton gave over to Simmons “All that Booke Copy or Manuscript”.  Milton also agreed not to print the book or manuscript without the strict permission of Simmons. 

The contract would imply that Milton was unjustifiably shortchanged for his work.  Other authors of the time were compensated much more generously than Milton.  Richard Baster for his work Saint’s Everlasting Rest accumulated 170 pounds.  Though, the counter argument for Milton’s supposed defilement is the limitation of 1500 copies on each impression.  This stipulation was set in place to protect Milton and made sure that “Simmons’ profits would not increase inordinately in relation to the amounts Milton was to receive” (179).   Simmons was by no means a greedy man.  It is pertinent to mention the fact that Simmons produced unacknowledged works and did so for 18 years.      

Milton stands far beyond any author of his time in due respect to his contract with Simmons.  “For that alone we see an author an author who is fully acknowledging the condition of authorship , viewing himself as the possessor of property gives him definite rights…”(180)  Because of this, Milton is said to be the first professional modern author.

The terms of the contract do not overtly reveal how authors behaved in relation to their rights.  This contract will of course stir up debate of the significance of the author and the relations an author has with their publisher.  This in turn will bring up arguments for where the author stands juxtaposed to copyright law.    

Questions:

How have author's rights changed throughout the centuries into modern day?