Johann Fust (c. 1400 – 30 October 1466) was a German merchant and banker from Mainz. He is best known for financing Johannes Gutenberg's printing work1. Here are some key points about his life and achievements:
Background and family: Fust was born into a middle-class family in Mainz. His brother Jakob was an influential goldsmith who became mayor of the city.
Financing printing: In 1450 and 1452, Fust lent Gutenberg a total of 1,600 guilders to develop movable-type printing.
Lawsuit against Gutenberg: In 1455, Fust sued Gutenberg to recover his loans and won the case. Gutenberg had to surrender his printing equipment to him.
Partnership with Peter Schoeffer: After the lawsuit, Fust partnered with Peter Schoeffer, a former apprentice of Gutenberg, to establish the first commercially successful printing house.
Printed works: Fust and Schoeffer published several important works, including the Mainz Psalter (1457), the first printed book to bear a complete date.
Fust is often seen as a patron and beneficiary of Gutenberg's invention, although some regard him as a speculator who took advantage of Gutenberg's situation.