"Plagiarist" is one of the most severe accusations any writer, researcher or scholar can hear. The mere sound of it is far more vile than the translations of either of its Latin origins: "plagiare" (to steal) and "plagiarus" (kidnapper or abductor). Nevertheless, the theft of the written word has been going on for millennia.

Ancient Plagiarism

As noted by John J. McKay in his post on the history of plagiarism, in ancient and medieval Europe, copying works was far less frowned upon than it is today. Religious texts have long been the subject of copying and are often referred to as "authorless." while imitation of the greats was a key skill for early scholars.

Plagiarism in the English Renaissance

During the English Renaissance, the work of the individual author took on more value. This didn't stop anyone from copying, rather it meant more accusations of plagiarism were bandied about. Although it is well-documented that William Shakespeare lifted lines from historical chronicles written by Raphael Holinshed, history is more likely to forgive Shakespeare's work as borrowing than a modern-day high school freshman's copying from an encyclopedia or the Internet.

Copyright Law and Modern Plagiarism

The rights of authors and publishers received their first major boost in early 18th century Britain with the Statute of Anne in 1709. Two key concepts established there--that an author is the owner of copyright and that published works will have a fixed term of protection--continue to form the basis of copyright law to this day.

Famous Plagiarism Cases

T.S. Eliot, Oscar Wilde, Stephen King, Alex Haley and Dan Brown were all accused of plagiarism at some point in their careers.

Plagiarism in Academia

Plagiarism is one of the major problems facing teachers and students today. As the Internet grows to provide easier access to information, it also offers a more effortless means to steal it. While educators can use software to catch potential plagiarists in their classrooms, instilling a value of academic honesty in students could be far more effective in the long term.

Source:

The Guardian: A History of Plagiarism (Not My Own Work) by Stephen Moss

Archy: A Very Brief History of Plagiarism

Intellectual Property Office - History of Copyright