What was the very first banned book?
It is difficult to determine the first banned publication in history, as the concept of banned books dates back to ancient civilizations. The practice of suppressing texts has likely been occurring for as long as the concept of written communication. However, some of the earliest known examples of banned books include the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, which the government of Athens suppressed in 399 BCE, and the Hebrew Bible, which the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten banned in the 14th century BC. The Roman Empire again banned the Hebrew Bible in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. Also, it was later forbidden by various other rulers and governments throughout history, including the Soviet Union and China.
What was the first banned book in the United States?
The first banned publication in the United States was likely “The Declaration of Independence,” which was forbidden in the British colonies in the 18th century for its call for independence and criticism of the British monarchy. Other early forbidden books in the United States include Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” and Ben Franklin’s “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” both suppressed by the British government for their role in inciting the American Revolution.
New English Canaan by Thomas Morton
Thomas Morton’s “New English Canaan” is a satirical and critical work published in 1637. It was written in response to the Puritan settlement of New England and was highly critical of the Puritan way of life and values. The book was controversial and banned in Massachusetts Bay Colony, where Morton lived. Morton was eventually arrested and deported back to England for his writings.
So, as you can see, FORBIDDING, PROHIBITING, and BANNING have been a part of civilization for as long as communication between people has existed. Ultimately, does it really matter what was first when the practice continues in our modern-day world?