Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Munsell, Joel

MUNSELL, Joel, printer, b. in Northfield, Mass., 14 April, 1808; d. in Albany, N. Y., 15 Jan., 1880. He established himself as a printer in Albany, N. Y., in 1827, was associate editor of the “Microscope” in 1834, published and edited the “New York Mechanic” in 1841-'3, and subsequently published “The Lady's Magazine,” the “Northern Star and Freeman's Advocate,” “The Spectator,” the “Unionist,” the “State Register,” the “Guard,” the “Typographical Miscellany,” “The New York Teacher,” the “Morning Express,” “Webster's Almanac,” “The Daily Statesman,” and for three years the “New England Historical and Genealogical Register.” He made the history and application of the art of printing a special study, and his collection of works on that subject, the largest in the United States, was in part purchased by the New York state library. Among his services to American historical literature is the “Historical Series” that he projected, edited, and annotated. He was a member of many learned societies, a founder of the Albany institute, and for many years published its proceedings. Mr. Munsell is the author of “Outlines of the History of Printing” (Albany, N. Y., 1839); “Annals of Albany,” a contribution to the history of that city (10 vols., 1849-'59); “Every-Day Book of History and Chronology” (New York, 1856); “Chronology of Paper and Paper-Making” (Albany, 1857; enlarged ed., 1864 and 1870); and “A Manual of the 1st Lutheran Church of Albany, from 1670 till 1870” (1871). His printing and publishing business is continued by his sons.