Peter Buchan

Who was Peter Buchan?

Peter Buchan, Scottish was a Scottish editor, publisher, and collector of ballads and folktales. He was born in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

He apprenticed with a Jack-of-all-trades, and in 1814 produced his first book, a collection of verse which failed to be taken notice. As his hometown lacked any printer shops, and in 1816, Peter went to Stirling to learned the printing process, becoming proficient enough to produce samples within a matter of ten days. He established business as a printer in Peterhead in March 1816, the support of the Earl of Buchan who recommended a friend to fund the purchase of the press.

In the early years of business, he printed a series of chapbooks. He also invented his own printing press named the "Auchmedden", a pedal-operated devise that accepted stone, copper, as well as type surfaces for printing. His The Annals of Peterhead had copper-plate illustrations which he himself engraved. Scarce Ancient Ballads, Gleanings of Scarce Old Ballads were early publications that foreshadowed what would be his lifelong interest.