Christophe Plantin. Engraving of Christophe Plantin (1514-89), French printer. He worked as a bookbinder from 1549, and six years later began to print. His fine productions included early illustrated botanical books. His most famous works are his Biblia Polyglotta (1569-73), his Latin, Hebrew and Dutch bibles, and his editions of books by ancient Roman and Greek authors. The typeface that he designed, and which bears his name, is still used.