An Englishman but of German descent. He had an uncle Peter Raban who was a clergyman in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. Served in the Dutch wars, worked for a master printer in Leyden, and travelled in Germany before settling in Scotland. Printer to the University of St Andrews. The first printer in Aberdeen, he was appointed Printer to the Town and University in 1622. His first wife, Jeanett Johnstoun died in January 1627. Previous to April 1637 he married Janet Ealhous or Ailhous. He was absent abroad at the end of 1637 and the beginning of 1638. On Christmas Eve 1639, Raban and his wife and another couple were put in ward for a broil in which they were concerned. They were found guilty at a court on the last day of the year and fined. He was succeeded in his business by James Brown in 1650 and died in November or December 1658. Buried 6 December 1658. Funeral of Janet Ailhous servant to Alex. Toasch 3 February 1679, this may have been Raban's widow. He used the arms of Aberdeen as a device from 1622.
Another printer, also called Edward Raban, worked in orange and Nimes from the 1650s to 1681. This could perhaps have been Raban's son Edward, or another relative.
Shop at the end of the Broad-gate 1643-49.
More Information
Dates of Activity1620-1649
Activityprinter
Online Resourcehttp://www.nls.uk/ Scottish Book Trade Index online (list)