Plural of bookman; scholarly men; men who work with books professionally, such as editors, publishers, or librarians.
Plural of 'bookman' (from 'book' and 'man'). Historically masculine term that reflected male dominance in publishing, printing, and librarianship before the 20th century.
The term 'bookmen' reveals gendered history—women were long excluded from the book trades, despite being major readers. Today, the publishing industry is over 70% women, completely flipping the historical gender of 'bookmen.'
Historically used exclusively for male scholars, publishers, and bibliophiles; women's intellectual contributions to bibliography and editing were systematized as secondary or excluded entirely.
Use 'book scholars,' 'publishers,' or 'bibliophiles' as gender-neutral defaults; 'bookmen' only in historical contexts describing the male-exclusive professional guild.
["book scholars","bibliophiles","publishers","editors"]
Female bibliophiles, editors, and scholars like Margaret Mann (cataloging pioneer) and Beatrix Potter (natural history illustrator/publisher) shaped modern book culture despite 'bookmen' terminology erasing them.
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