Richardson had been an established printer and publisher for most of his life when , at the age of 51 , he wrote his first novel and immediately became one of the most popular and admired writers of his time .
Richardson had been an established printer and publisher for most of his life and printed over almost 500 different works . 
 Although his print shop slowly faded away , his legacy was certain when , at the age of 51 , he wrote his first novel and immediately became one of the most popular and admired writers of his time .