America 250: The Bible of the American Revolution
Listen as Francis Douglas tells the story of the Bible of the American Revolution.
Today on Celebrate the Bible:
The most famous bible in America: The Robert Aitken Bible of the American Revolution.
The Robert Aitken Bible is considered the first English Bible printed in the newly-formed United States. It is also known as the Bible of the American Revolution. Less than 40 of these Bibles are known to exist worldwide today. Even having a single leaf is considered very rare.
This was, and is, the only printing of the Bible endorsed by our United States Congress.
It is considered a National treasure, and is part of our National history.
Robert Aitken traveled from Dalkeith in Scotland to find himself as a bookseller and printer in Philadelphia. He also began to publish the Pennsylvania Magazine, which promoted the cause of Liberty.
When the British were approaching, Congress moved from Philadelphia to Baltimore, Maryland.
The Revolutionary War stopped all Bibles coming from England. So much so that the Chaplain of Congress asked the members to pray for a resolution.
The problem of procuring Bibles -- even type fonts and paper -- remained unsolved. They explored importing Bibles from places like Holland and Scotland, but nothing seemed to work out.
Robert Aitken decided to print an edition of the New Testament. He thought that a full Testament was better than no Bible at all. In 1777 his New Testament came off the press. There was a second edition in '78; a third edition in '79; and a fourth in '81.
In 1782, Aitken printed what is now known as the Bible of the American Revolution. It contained both the Old and New Testaments. The newly formed United States now had a full Bible. And Congress acted suitably. The Bible contained this notice bound into all copies:
“WHEREUPON RESOLVED,
That the United States in congress assembled highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitken, as subservient to the interest of religion, as well as an instance of the program of arts in this county, and being satisfied from the above report of his care and accuracy in the execution of the work, they recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States, and hereby authorize him to publish this recommendation in the manner he shall think proper." -- CHA. THOMSON, Secretary to the Congress.
If you plan to visit the Philadelphia region for the 2026 Semiquincentennial America 250 celebration, consider exploring the historic sites related to the Bible:
I have covered Robert Aitken’s print shop in an earlier episode. This earlier post includes many places of interest in downtown Philadelphia. It is a guide to early American Bible history in Philadelphia. Here is a link:
Also, I should give mention to Robert’s daughter Jane. Jane was her father’s assistant in his print shop, running many of the day-to-day shop activities. She performed most of the book binding, and was considered one of the finest. She also helped with the printing. She took over the print shop after her father’s passing, and printed a famous Bible of her own. I have a post that tells the story of Jane Aitken.
Here is a link:
So, until we meet again, and for celebratethebible250, this is Francis Douglas.
If you would like me to speak, and also provide a tabletop exhibit, at your church, school, gallery, or organization, let me know.
The topic I cover is the History of the Christian Holy Bible in America.
Not only will you learn about it, but you’ll also see; first-hand; pages from the rarest Bibles in the world.
I’ll place contact information below as the 2026 Semiquincentennial America 250 year approaches.
I will be available for Southern New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware.
Source: America 250: The Bible of the American Revolution
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