Wolfe was born and trained in the book trade in the Netherlands. He came to England around 1533, using his former European contacts to bring continental publications to the English market. Wolfe had powerful connections at court, including Thomas Cranmer and Anne Boleyn, the latter of whom intervened to have him admitted a freeman of the Stationer’s Company in 1536. His early printing exploits included schoolbooks and the writings of John Leland. In 1547, he was appointed King’s Printer in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew to the new King Edward VI and also acted as King’s bookseller and stationer. Edward’s reign saw the pinnacle of Wolfe’s business as he expanded into publishing vernacular evangelical works, particularly those of his patron Thomas Cranmer. Wolfe successfully weathered the reign of the Catholic Mary I and under Elizabeth his presses returned to constant work. His name appeared seventh in the Stationers’ Company’s letters of incorporation and he served four times as Master of the Company in 1559, 1564, 1567, and 1572.
Person
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d. 1573