Attribution Accuracy Verification by Comparing Stylometric Conclusions Against Patterns in the Publishing Credits

Abstract

The analysis of bibliographic textual information must be an essential step in any stylometric authorship attribution study. This article describes patterns among the credits given on 18th and 19th century British title-pages to printers and booksellers. These patterns are contrasted against the stylometric findings of a new method that was applied to 634 texts from these centuries. The biographies of these printers and booksellers are explored for relevant evidence. And the history of publishing is summarized to explain the significance of the findings.