Career
Although the House of Elzevir ceased publishing in 1712, the modern Dutch Elsevier company was founded in 1880 and took its name from the historic Dutch publishing house. Elzevir, son of Hans Helschevier, was born in Leuven and started his career as a bookbinder at the printing shop of Christoffel Plantijn in Antwerp. He moved to Wesel before 1570, to Douai before 1575 and settled in Leiden before 1580.
He produced his first book at Leiden in 1583 and under his descendants the business continued until 1791.
The printing house was instrumental in the publication of important work in science. Atypical of other printers of the era, Elzevir books focused on sturdiness rather than elegance and legibility over ornate characters.
His books were usually smaller with narrow margins. Christopher van Dyck was one of the type designers.
Most of the work was published in Latin.
The Lodowijk Elzevir who famously met Galileo in Arcetri in 1636 was the grandson of this Lodwijk (1604-1670).