Ann Ward

Ann Ward (1715/16 – 10 April 1789) was a British printer and business owner. She inherited her business from her husband, Caesar Ward, in 1759 and printed both the York Courant newspaper and a number of books. The Wards printed several early publications by Laurence Sterne, and Ann Ward is best remembered as the printer for the first edition of Sterne's bestselling novel Tristram Shandy. Across her career, Ward printed nearly a hundred titles, including guidebooks and histories for her city of York.

Early life Little is known about Ward's early life, save that she married a York printer, Caesar Ward, around 1738. Ward worked with the printer David Russell, who became a part-owner of the business but his name did not appear on publications. Ward bought back Russel's share in the company in 1787 so she could pass the whole business to her son-in-law.

Ward also printed other important publications. The first guide book to the city of York was printed by Ward in 1787. It was a 32-page volume detailing York's public buildings and a directory of principal merchants and tradespeople in the city. Ward issued a two volume history of York Minster detailing the site and its clergy based on the 1737 Eboracum by Francis Drake. In 1779 she published a book of poems by William Mason. The English Short Title Catalogue records almost a hundred titles printed by Ann Ward.

Personal life and death Ward had at least eight children. Her daughter Mary (baptized 27 June 1740) married George Peacock, who inherited the York printing business. Her son Caesar (baptized 4 December 1741) was part of the Stationers Company until 1763 and then established his own printing business in London. Ward died on 10 April 1789.