King James VI and I is responsible for approving the most famous translation of the English Bible.
Like the Anglican Bishops, James disapproved of what were regarded as anti-episcopal notes in the Geneva Bible, which was popular at the time.
In 1604 he approved a team of translators to produce a revised English Bible. The result of their work was the King James Bible, published in London in 1611.
James is sometimes mistakenly credited with writing what is known today as 'the Authorised Version', when in fact he commissioned the translation and authorised it to be read in churches. It became the standard text for more than 250 years.
A first edition of the King James Bible and others formed part of the display about 'The Bible in English' in our George VI Bridge Building from 2 November 2011 to 8 January 2012.