Elzevir << EHL zuh `veer` >>, Louis (1540?-1617), was the first of what became a famous Dutch family of publishers, printers, and sellers of books. The family was in the book business from about 1583 to 1712. The family name is also spelled Elsevier or Elzevier. The Elzevirs became known for their elegant, pocket-sized editions of Latin classics and French literature. These books, known as Elzevirs, were sold throughout Europe. Many Elzevir books were printed in type faces created by Cristoffel van Dijck, a well-known Dutch designer.
Elzevir began his career as a binder and bookseller and eventually also became a publisher at the University of Leiden. After his death on Feb. 4, 1617, his sons and their families established branches of his business in Amsterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.
